Know What To Expect At The Interview
Not all interviews are the same, so find out what you’ll need to do at the interview before you go.
You may need to:
- prepare to be interviewed by a panel of two or more people or go through a series of interviews
- take a test before or after the interview to find out if youre suitable for the job
- prepare and lead a presentation as part of the interview, so make sure youll have access to any equipment you need such as a laptop or projector
- take part in group activities to test your teamwork and leadership abilities.
How To Use This Research During Interviews
During a job interview, interviewers ask questions to get to know candidates. But their main goal is to determine if a candidate will be a good fit for the position and company.
Your company research will make your responses to questions compelling and show that you’ll be helpful to their goals and bottom line.
Plus, your knowledge will help you give a specific answer if you’re asked why you’d like to work for the company. You can share details about things you find admirable about the company, its mission, or its culture.
Prepare Your Travel Arrangements
Job interviews tend to be stressful for most people for many reasons, but getting to the interview can be a challenge in itself. If your interview is an unfamiliar area or even an entirely new city, it can be a source of anxiety to find your way around and make sure that you show up on time.
To avoid becoming too anxious for your commute, prepare yourself to ensure everything goes smoothly on the day of the meeting. Here’s how:
Don’t Miss: Questions To Ask A Cfo During An Interview
Preparing For An Interview
Preparing for an interview primarily means taking time to thoughtfully consider your goals and qualifications relative to the position and employer. To accomplish this, you should perform research on the company and carefully review the job description to understand why you would be a good fit. Lets look at the steps to preparing for an interview.
Reread Your Resume Or Application
Reread your resume? Why would you need to do that? After all, you know your own background, right? Well, sort of.
If you tailor your resume to each job , and youve applied to more than one recently, you may not remember which details you included. That could spell trouble.
You can almost guarantee that the hiring manager is going to talk about your resume. If you forgot which accomplishments you mentioned, you might not prepare to discuss them. Then, if the hiring manager asks which they almost certainly will you might give a stumbly answer.
Review your resume! Know what you said! Remember, your resume might be all the hiring manager knows about you, so make sure you can discuss those points with ease.
Read Also: Interview Questions To Ask A Cfo
What Can You Bring To This Role
This is key, because its one of a few typical interview questions that gives you a chance to really sell yourself and all your relevant skills. Regardless of whether or not you have any professional experience in a similar role, you can still talk about the skills you picked up during your degree, an internship or part-time job. Try to relate these skills to the role you are interviewing for. For example, your part time job might have taught you how to work well in a team, as well as how to build strong professional relationships with your colleagues and clients.
If youve already been offered an interview, the chances are that the interviewer is aware of what experience you have and sees potential in you. Provide examples of times when youve utilized the skills theyre looking for in a different context. If youre a new graduate, nows the chance to highlight all the transferable skills you gained during your degree, such as analytical ability, written and spoken communication skills and IT mastery, to name but a few.
The World Of Consultants Their Clients And Business Cases
Consultants are hired by senior managers of client organisations to advise on business strategy. An effective business strategy drives competitive advantage, which in turn creates economic efficiencies that sustain multiple periods of cash generation, ultimately boosting the business value of the client organisation.
A business strategy is often characterised by a range of possible decisions, each having a unique set of risks and rewards. Deciding which path to pursue is highly momentous. Everything the client does hence comes at the expense of some opportunity it does not pursue.
The primary job of senior managers is to craft business strategy, determine the best course of action, and direct its execution. It is extremely difficult work requiring great focus, assimilation of tremendous amounts of information, intensive analysis, and serious reflection on all possible consequences.
The reality of senior managers jobs, however, is often much different. Their days are usually spent shuttling from one meeting to another, putting out fires, answering emails and phone calls, and in general, dealing with matters that are more urgent than important. Time and attention are their scarcest resources, and there is never enough of either to devote to all the important aspects of business strategy.
Senior managers are fond of saying something to the effect of: If I had just two weeks when I didnt have to do anything else, I could do it myself.
Recommended Reading: Questions To Ask Cfo In Interview
Identify The Type Of Problem Posed To You
Jobseekers may find that there are common themes that appear when covering the type of business problems found in case study interviews. Eight of the most common exercises explore these questions:
- Maths eg: How many more units do we need to sell to double the profit?
- eg: How big is the market size within the US for smart wearable devices?
- Framework/Issue tree – eg: Identify the factors you would consider in addressing the problem.
- Data-chart insights eg: What story do the numbers tell about the operations of this business?
- Value proposition eg: What factors do customers look for in choosing a mobile phone carrier?
- Business valuation eg: Just how much is this company worth today, and would it change if acquired by our competitor?
- Hypothesis eg: What are some possible reasons that explain this trend?
- Brain teaser eg: How many tennis balls can you fit in an area that is twice the size of a football field?
There is not a single approach that solves all business problems. By identifying the type of problem youre encountering, youll be able to quickly determine the most appropriate method to apply.
For example, you might discover that a maths problem will rely on the knowledge of specific formulas and expressions, while a hypothesis question calls for a closer look at the root causes behind an issue.
Before The Interview: Practice And Prepare
Review the steps below and schedule a mock-interview with Career Services .
- The interview atmosphere should be POSITIVE. Learn to articulate your strengths and weaknesses and emphasize the positive contributions you can make.
- Prepare for Questions
- The questions below are divided into two categories, traditional and behavior-based. You will recognize the difference between the two types of questions immediately. You will need to be prepared for both types of interview questions. The Student Career Development Office and the Library have several books and handouts containing additional interview questions.
- Examples of Behavioral Questions
You May Like: Women’s Outfit For Job Interview
Get Your Questions And Evidence Ready
Make sure you have questions ready to ask the employer as this shows you’re interested in the organisation and the job. Your research can help you come up with some questions.
Prepare any evidence of your achievements to take to the interview such as a portfolio of your work.
Use Google And Google News
Search both Google and Google News for the company name. This can be invaluable. You may find out that the company is expanding into Asia, for instance, or recently received a round of start-up funding. Or, you may find out that a recent product underperformed or had to be recalled. This knowledge can help shape your responses to interview questions.
Also Check: Interview Questions For A Cfo
Prepare Questions For The Interviewer
Most interviewers ask whether candidates have any questions at the end of the interview. Asking questions shows your interest in the role and commitment to ensuring you are the best fit. Preparing relevant questions will help you ask them naturally during your interview. Some of the questions you might ask include:
-
Why is this position vacant?
-
Is telecommuting an option in this role?
-
What can you tell me about this role that was not in the job description?
-
What are the prospects for growth in this role?
-
Based on our conversation today, do you think I would be a good fit for the position?
-
When can I expect to hear your decision?
Refer to any unanswered questions you jotted down while reviewing the job description and researching the company, then add these to your question list. Treat your list of questions as a starting point for the final phase of the interview, rather than a definitive script, because other questions might come to mind during the interview.
Read more:9 best questions to ask your interviewer
How To Prepare For An Interview
Senior Content Manager at Indeed passionate about making career advice enjoyable and accessible, so people feel confident about getting and succeeding in the right jobs.
**Related video: How To Prepare for An InterviewThe Best Pre-Interview Strategy
Preparing for an interview might seem intimidating, but there are several steps you can take to prepare yourself for a successful interview. In this article, we create an interviewing prep checklist with 11 items.
Also Check: Questions To Ask The Cfo In An Interview
Tricky Behavioral Interview Questions
Weâve all been there â pleased that an interview was going really well until the interviewer threw out a real doozy of a question that you just donât know how to answer. But you donât have to panic. Career coach Hallie Crawford gives advice on how to answer the most difficult questions youâll ever be asked.
1. If a coworker had an annoying habit, and it hindered your quality of work, how would you resolve it?
This may seem like a perplexing question, but itâs âdesigned to get to you how you deal with others,â explains Crawford. âDraw from a real-life experience if possible. What annoyed you? How did you resolve it? Is there a more effective way to handle the situation if it would happen again? Identify the annoying habit and then outline the steps you would take to try and resolve the situation while maintaining a good relationship with your coworker.â
2. Tell me about the worst manager you ever had. How did you navigate him or her?
Before you bash your last boss, âremember that your hiring manager has your resume and knows where you have worked, so your managers wonât be completely anonymous,â warns Crawford. âHowever, you might explain a type of management style that wasnât ideal for you. And if you havenât had a bad manager, donât make one up. Let the hiring manager know that you honestly have gotten along with your previous managers, and focus on how you are able to work with different personality and management styles.â
Get Your Interview Clothes Ready
Don’t wait until the last minute to make sure your interview clothes are ready. Have an interview outfit ready to wear at all times, so you don’t have to think about what you’re going to wear while you’re scrambling to get ready for a job interview.
Regardless of the type of job you’re interviewing for, that first impression should be a great one. When dressing for an interview for a professional position, dress accordingly in business attire.
If you’re applying for a job in a more casual environment, such as a store or restaurant, it’s still important to be neat, tidy, and well-groomed, and to present a positive image to the employer.
It is also important to think about your makeup and accessories when dressing for an interview.
You May Like: Interview Attire Women
Dive Into The Tailoring Method
Alright, the STAR Method alone is a pretty strong approach. But, by also learning the Tailoring Method, you have a secret sauce for creating delicious answers to behavioral interview questions.
The Tailoring Method is all about customization. You dont want to give the hiring manager a basic answer to a question you want to make it relevant and enticing, building an exceptional value proposition by showcasing how you can help their company thrive. Thats what the Tailoring Method helps you do.
Its an approach that makes the hiring manager and company the priority, not you. Its about positioning yourself as a solution to the problem the hiring manager is trying to solve . That makes the Tailoring Method a competitive advantage, as not all job seekers are going to go that extra mile.
Follow Up With A Thank You Note
Follow up a job interview with a thank-you note or email reiterating your interest in the job.
Consider your thank-you letter as a follow-up “sales” letter. Restate why you want the job, what your qualifications are, how you might make significant contributions, and so on.
This thank-you letter is also the perfect opportunity to discuss anything of importance that your interviewer neglected to ask or that you neglected to answer as thoroughly, or as well, as you would have liked. Good luck!
Read Also: Questions To Ask A Cfo In An Interview
Job Interview Preparation Tips To Help You Stand Out
Practicing job interview answers in front of a mirror helps you to identify anything that might distract from the substance of what you have to say.
In brief
- To prepare for an interview, study up on the role so you can explain how you meet each of the job requirements.
- Be prepared to address your biggest weaknesses, such as gaps in your résumé.
- The best way to learn how to interview is by practicing your Q& A with someone you trust, on camera or in the mirror.
You have put time and effort into your job application, perhaps polishing up your résumé and crafting a well-constructed cover letter, earning you a coveted interview. Now is your chance to show why you are a great candidate and how you would fit in with your potential team. If you do your homework, you will be prepared for anything the interviewer throws at you.
1. Study the job description.
Get into the right mind-set by reminding yourself what the job entails and reading the employers mission statement, if it has one. Make a list of reasons why this job may be the right fit for your career journey, such as the skills, experience and network you would gain. Focusing on how this job will help you achieve your career goals is a good way to get excited about the roleeven if it is not your dream job. This will help you to express why you want the job and to convey enthusiasm during the interview.
2. Prepare to address gaps in your background.
Pamela Skillings, BigInterview.com
Resources
What to read next
Study Your Resume And Know Everything About It:
Any work experience or skills you have listed on your resume are fair game to talk about during the interview. Your resume is all the interviewer has to go by in order to get to know you. They may pick things out from it and ask you to elaborate. Even though you may have a previous job listed that was many years ago, the interviewer may ask you to explain what you did at that job and you are responsible for providing an answer. This is one step you absolutely wont want to skip on how to prepare for a job interview.
Don’t Miss: System Design Interview Prep
Common Interview Preparation Mistakes To Avoid
When it comes to preparing for an interview, the biggest mistake you can make is not doing it at all. Even if youre a highly-skilled professional overflowing with potential and natural poise, you cant assume that is enough.
On average, it takes five job interviews before youll land a job.
Wow, right?
Plus, 57 percent of professionals say theyve had a job interview go poorly. Thats more than half of all professionals, people who know their jobs well and are likely at least reasonably successful.
An interview isnt like a normal conversation with a colleague. Instead, youre being tested, put on the spot, and asked to defend your resume. Some questions are designed to put you back on your heels. Others are so open-ended, that its easy to drift off-topic.
Preparation allows you to be at your best when that fateful interview day arrives. Youll have great answers just waiting to be deployed, and a strategy that can help you navigate the unexpected. In turn, youll be more likely to succeed, making all of the effort worthwhile.
However, thats not the only misstep aspiring new hires make. Choosing the wrong mock interview questions can also hurt you. For example, some candidates spend all of their time on generic interview questions. Sure, you need to be ready for classics like, Tell me about yourself and What motivates you? but you also need to be prepared to face off against field- or job-specific ones, too.
MIKE’S TIP:
