Ace Your Interview!

It’s time! You’ve sent off your resume, passed a phone screening, and now you’re headed toward another step of the hiring process – the interview. 

If you’re like most people, the thought of a job interview is nerve-wracking. If you’re going to ace the interview, you’ll have to be on your A-game. 

Here are my top tips & tricks to ace your interview!

Prepare

This may sound obvious, but a lot of interviews miss this key step. Reread the job description and highlight the most important parts. This will help you frame your interview responses.

Look at the interview panel on your interview confirmation email. Look up the interview team on LinkedIn to get a feel for their background. This may help you find common ground you were previously unaware of. It'll also help you feel as if you already know the team, which may make you feel more comfortable.

Ensure you have a few questions prepared to ask the interview team. They can be the same questions, such as "Can you describe your work-life balance?" for each stage - this can help give a gauge of how all team members feel. They may also be specific to that person's role, such as "How many employees do you manage?" or "How many tickets do you handle per day?"

Reach out to your recruiter for advice

Your recruiter is a valuable resource and knows the team's interview process. They want you to succeed and receive an offer!

Many recruiters are willing to practice with you, and will provide feedback on how well you're interviewing. They can guide you on key skills the team is looking for and more.

Review the STAR method

The STAR method is an interview technique that gives you a straightforward format you can use to tell a story by laying out the Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

• Situation: Set the scene and give the necessary details of your example.
• Task: Describe what your responsibility was in that situation.
• Action: Explain exactly what steps you took to address it.
• Result: Share what outcomes your actions achieved.

Using this method will help you address exactly what the interviewer is looking for. If you're describing a situation, they want to know how you addressed it.

Personally, I recommend keeping answers under 3 minutes.

You can read more on the STAR method here.

Prepare your elevator speech

You should have a clear, concise answer to "Tell me about yourself." Write it down if you need to.

You are guaranteed to hear this question at least once. This is an important step to sell yourself.

Log on EARLY to your interview.

Be prepared and log on 5-10 minutes early, provided it is a web call. If it's a phone call, have your phone available and be ready & waiting.

Ensure your environment is free of distractions. If a phone call, remain in a quiet room. If a video interview, ensure your background doesn't have any clutter. Wear appropriate attire. Many folks wear a plain button down, which is typically a safe choice.

Send a thank you note!

This is a lost art, and it shouldn't be. Do this immediately after the interview so you don't forget. Include specific comments from the conversation and reiterate why you're a fit. This is your last chance to sell yourself.

The hiring team's contact information may be included on your calendar invite. If not, send your note to your recruiter and ask them to forward it on their behalf. Not all companies are comfortable providing hiring manager direct contact.

I hope this helps - good luck on your interview!