Interview Tips & Tricks

Having worked in the industry for nearly 20 years, and most of that time in Retail, I would estimate that I have sat in on over 5000 interviews - excluding the countless hiring days and assessment centers.

Some good, some bad, some hard to forget, I thought I would share with you some of my learnings, observations, tips and tricks which might help you the next time you sit across that table.

Do Your Homework - When it comes to doing your homework there is a lot more than just researching the company or the interview panel. Here are some of the things I suggest you look into;

• Study the job description which goes along with the role. Look at the tasks, duties and responsibilities and match your skill sets to them.

• Create an image in your head of the type of person who might be successful within that job. Look at their traits, characteristics and their behaviours and align them to yours.

• Research the company but look into specific things like their people, the culture, products / services they might sell, maybe even look at their client list or their competitors. 

• Familiarize yourself with their history, story, vision and future via their website, articles online, connections you might have, or your Recruiter if you are using an agency.
  

Your Goals - It is sometimes easy to forget but an interview is a 2-way street. It is a chance for a potential employer to get to know you but also vice versa. What are the things you want to know about the role or the company? Write these down and make sure you get them covered during the interview. Make them specific to you - your interviewer will be impressed, and it will fulfill a response to the always asked question - "Do you have any questions for us?"

Questioning - A good interview will flow naturally and look and feel more like a conversation and less like an interrogation. In saying that, it is inevitable that there will be some sticky / tough questions that might approach like a curve ball so prepare yourself.

Questions these days are less sterile and more behavioral / scenario based. Interviewers want to know what you would do or how you would behave in certain situations.

Interviewers are increasingly looking into your ability and previous track record and less into your knowledge or career history.

These questions are not asked to throw your off, but more to see how you think on your feet and give you an opportunity to shine.

Always speak clearly and answer the question that was asked and not what you think is being asked. The key to that - listen! If in doubt, ask for clarification, or for the question to be asked a different way.

Top Tip - I always disliked when interviewees respond to a question with 'that is a very good question'. If you need time to think of an answer...take it. It does not have to be immediate, but don't feel like you have to fill the time with fluff.

Notes - Bring a notebook and pen to your interview. Make sure it is looking clean and sharp and not an old refill pad from school. Have your pre-prepared questions written neatly out in order and leave spaces to take down responses.

Dress for Success - Think carefully about this one. During an assessment center it is important to stand out, but at interview you want to fit in.

I always remember an assessment center I did approx. 10 years ago. In walked a young lady in a bright pink suit. It looked sharp, professional and it suited her (no pun intended). For the whole day, my eyes were drawn to her, she was referred to as the girl in the pink suit and stood out amongst the 40 odd other participants. My eyes were drawn to her at team activities, whilst I was presenting and or even scanning the room. A good clothing choice for the day that was in it.

When it comes to an interview though, the above pink suit might not work. I always remember when I first got into recruitment, somebody telling me a story of the airline industry. Again they said stand out at assessment days, but fit in during interviews. The example they gave was for females to wear minimal make up and come with their hair tied back. Let me point out, I am not saying that all female interview participants should do this, but when you think of the airline industry in the 90s/00s that is how female cabin crew were presented. Basically, you want the interviewer to already see you in the role / fitting in...get me?

Suits are the safe choice, well-polished shoes, clean, tidy hair, clean fingernails and light perfume / aftershave. If you want to really look at business etiquette, I will go one step further and say that the suit should be darker than the shirt / blouse and the belt color should match the shoes. Gents' ties should not be loud or overly patterned and ladies' jewelry should be discrete and not dangly or noisy.

- There is a reason you are sitting at that table. The interviewer saw something in your resume or application which interested them, and they wanted to find out more. Have some confidence in that, believe in self, look over your strengths, align them to the role, find opportunity to bring them to the table and go get em!

Telephone Interviews - My tips here would be to prepare for a telephone interview the same way you would for an in-person interview.

Some additional points to mention might be;

• Minimize distractions and find yourself a quiet place to take the call

• Always sit, and do not pace around from side to side whilst standing up. Your interviewer can sense that.

• Even though you are on the phone, you are not chatting to a friend - always remain professional, no slang, do not talk over your interviewers when they are asking questions and actively listen throughout

• Smile - this may sound weird as your interviewer can not see you, but the will most certainly sense it. Would you sit in a person to person interview not smiling?

• Be positive, eager and interested in the conversation from start to finish
  

Sample Questions -

• Why us?

• Why this role?

• What did you like most about your previous role?

• Why did you leave your previous employer?

• What was it about this role that excited you?

• What would you do in your first 30 days here?

• What support would you need from us to assist you settle in?

• Tell me about a time you worked as part of a team to achieve a common goal?

• Tell me about a time you failed, how come and what did you learn?

• What would you say is your biggest weakness?

• What would your current supervisor say is the value you add to the team?

• tell me about a time you had to show flexibility within your role?

• Tell me about a time you overcame an unplanned occurrence?

• How would you describe yourself in 3 words?

• What are you most proud of?

• Who is your role model and why?

• What motivates you? What drives you forward?
  

Remember - During your interview...

• Remain present

• Positive

• Control body language

• Listen fully

• Speak clearly and openly

• Always tell the truth

• Be yourself!
  

Whether you are just scrolling by, killing time, learning something new or refreshing your memory, I thank you for reading my post and wish you the best of luck the next time you sit at an interview table.