You dedicated so much in your job hunting so far and managed to obtain a interview. Wow, that's great! Let's explore together how to increase the chances of you being the selected candidate!
Ponder for a minute how you can distinguish yourself amongst the other possible candidates. Think about your strengths and weaknesses. Make sure you match those to the job description you applied for.
For instance, in the job description you may see this formulation:
The ideal candidate would possess strong analytical skills and a results oriented mindset
Think of an engaging statement which should match your skills to what is desired in the ideal candidate. It may look similar to:
In my experience so far, I've come across situations where I pragmatically analyzed the situation and delivered a solution which benefited the organization for the long run.
Also come up with examples to solidify your statements and build trust with your interviewer. I'm sure you'll steal the show fast!
Be prepared to talk about any aspect of your resume. I've had interviews where they asked me about college and the contributions I had with past employers. This is a really good time to showcase your skills by leveraging your CV.
It's also a good opportunity to build trust since you can prove that your CV is correct and you are not lying about your experience. Be concise, emphasize your collaborative and technical skills in a transparent way.
It's quite a norm nowadays for hiring managers to ask a couple of poky interview questions. They may appear quite blunt, straightforward or too intrusive. Still, don't put your guard down and be prepared for common interview questions such as:
These are designed to see if you get defensive, check your attitude under pressure and also your personality. Write your answers on a piece of paper and practice with a friend if necessary!
An interview is a two way street where both parties determine if there is a match. You will be given time to ask your own questions about the role. Avail this opportunity by having 2-3 questions prepared in advance. Having no questions at all can be interpreted as lack of interest in the position from your side.
Think about what is important to you in a role: nice colleagues, team culture and possibilities for career advancement. Make sure you don't ask too intrusive questions such as "When do you have your lunch breaks?" since you may come across as not flexible enough. Also, don't ask too many questions since you may be seen as nagging.
I would say that the steps outlined here will help you a lot in your interview process! Do you have any questions? I'm here to help! You can use the contact form to get in touch with me. Cheers and good luck with your interviews!