Whilst many see an interview as akin to a visit to the dentist, we think it’s important to be as positive as possible. It’s a chance for you and your potential employers to make a great first impression. It’s so easy for candidates to think of an interview as a negative. It might come as a surprise, but some even enjoy interviews. But you can be assured that a negative mindset is exactly the type of mindset that will ensure that you don’t do yourself justice in front of those that you are trying to impress.
Think about it – you have already done well to get yourself in front of a company, so they must rate you from your application and/or conversations with recruiters. So, simply see the interview as your chance to shine to show them why you are the right person for the job.
So, here is Hargate Healthcare Ltd’s 10-step guide to the interview process…..
- Research
Do as much prep as you can, because it is very obvious when a candidate hasn’t done any research on their potential new employers, their potential new job, and just what might be asked of them at the interview. This includes being fully up-to-speed with the sector you are working in, the company, and the position that you are applying for. Match your CV with the job description before you attend – any gaps, try to turn into areas for development.
- Preparation
You may be interviewed at home (Zoom/Teams/Skype etc) or on-site, so you need to be fully prepped. If you are being interviewed at home, it might sound obvious, but the environment is different and so needs careful consideration. Make sure that your internet connection is good and that you have a back-up form of communication handy. Use earphones if possible and not the device speakers, and make sure you have any relevant information and stationary close to hand. If it’s on-site you need to make sure that everything you need is ready well in advance, you have a more then enough petrol to get you there, and that you leave in good time. Look at arriving 10-15 minutes before your interview.
- First Impressions
Whether you are at home or on-site, make sure what you are wearing doesn’t make a poor first impression. That means making sure that you look the part and if doing it electronically, your environment and surroundings do, too. Your bedroom with clothes strewn around isn’t a great look to potential employers, neither is turning up not suitable attired. If in doubt, dress up not down.
- Selling your skills and abilities
As we’ve said above, an interview is a chance to show off how suitable you are for the job. Be very clear on the skills and qualities the employer is looking for and have answers and stats ready to show that you meet the criteria. You’ve got this far, so you will be a suitable candidate. Make sure that your potential new employers know all about your career path so far, what you are really good at, and how you are a perfect fit for them
- How to answer interview questions
This ties in with being prepared. You know that there will be a formal discussion where you will be asked a series of questions, so do your due diligence and have your answers prepared in your head. Be concise, and don’t ramble, but go into reasonable length. Always try to put in your own accomplishments and successes wherever possible, too. This leads into….
- Practise, practise, practise
You may have guessed many of the questions that will be fired at you before you even arrive at the interview. Some will be generic questions designed to put you at ease and give you the chance to be positive, whilst others will be targeted specifically at aspects of the job. You will probably face Competency-based questions; Strengths-based questions; Technical questions; Situational judgement questions; Values-based questions; and Motivational questions.
- Be positive
If you go into an interview thinking that you won’t get the job, you probably won’t. Be positive – you have already done well to get this far, and it shows you that the company thinks that you are a real live candidate to get it. Jobs often see hundreds of people applying and they are expensive for companies to set up. They don’t just invite candidates for the sake of it. They think you have a good chance of getting it – so think yourself up, and talk yourself up. Above all, remember to be positive and whatever happens DON’T PANIC! Things go wrong in life, and they can and do go wrong at interviews. The key is not to panic, remain calm, and whatever the situation is simply do your very best. That’s all you can do
- Body Language
Sounds obvious, but look as though you want the job more than the others. Eye contact, positive body language, attentiveness, asking questions, showing an interest…..it’s very obvious to see the candidates who do and don’t really want to be there. Remember – smile, make eye contact, and make sure that you leave a positive impression by really looking as though you really want the job.
- Dealing with nerves
It’s totally normal and expected for you to be nervous. The company will expect it and you need not to fight those nerves, but embrace them. If you aren’t nervous I would ask why – because you are entering an environment where you could possibly get a better job, more money etc. The key is to be prepared – if you go into an interview knowing you’ve done all you can then that should alleviate the butterflies. It’s when you go in knowing that you haven’t done the ground-work, that is when the nerves can really kick in!
- Questions that you should ask
Be prepared with some questions to ask your potential employers. It shows that you are taking an interest in their company and shows that you want the job. If nothing arises that you can ask about during the interview perhaps ask where the company sees the successful candidate being in the short and medium term. Perhaps ask about how they are going to develop you professionally, and is there the potential for leadership opportunities in the future etc.