Research shows that 33% of employers know within the first 90 seconds of an interview whether they will hire someone1. It has never been more important to make a good impression. When your nerves are kicking in and your employment is at stake, it’s easy to make a few mistakes. But how can you guarantee yourself a successful interview? We connected with our Talent Team to pick out the best ways to breeze through an interview and grab the job. So here’s what we’ve got…
Don’t be a Wet Fish.
A limp handshake not only indicates a lack of confidence but can also be extremely awkward. Shake off your nerves and greet your interviewer with a firm (but not bone-crunching) handshake. This is a guaranteed way to get your interview off to a good start.
Be yourself.
Employers want to see the person behind the application, so show off your personality. Don’t try to be all things to all people, it’s not worth pretending to be someone you aren’t in an effort to get the job. Answer questions with integrity and be confident in your abilities, you’re there because you have something interesting to offer.
Brighten your Halo.
Research shows that the “Halo effect” is a type of bias where if you appear well equipped in one area, you’re more likely to be considered good at everything else2. So be memorable for the right reasons by preparing relevant career anecdotes that show you have the right qualities and skills for the role.
Know your employer.
According to research, one of the most common mistakes to make in an interview is to have little or no knowledge of your employer3. Its imperative that you know your employer inside out before an interview. An interviewee who doesn’t know about their employer is not a very interested one. So prepare to be asked about what your employers do, their recent achievements, their competitors and most importantly why YOU want to work there.
Have your eye on the prize.
You’d be surprised how easy it is to lose focus in an interview. Forgetting to silence your phone or even getting distracted by something out the window are common mistakes. But this is not a good impression to make and shows your employer that you’re unprepared. Rushing in just in time for your interview will do you no favours. So have a good night’s sleep, arrive early and give yourself time to get your mind in the zone, so you’ll be fully focused and ready for your interview.
Watch out for the big freeze.
Keeping your cool in an interview is important. But there’s a fine line between being composed and coming across uninterested. So be wary of appearing cold. Employers want to hire people who have a real connection to their brand. So prepare some questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview. Showing enthusiasm and a genuine interest in the company and the role will help your chances of being hired.
Interviews are never easy, but we’re hoping these tips will help you to seize your opportunity to shine. Got any other tips on nailing an interview? We want to hear from you! Tweet us your ideas here.
