Are you job hunting? Or even just generally thinking about your dream job? Either way, this blog should help you. In all my years of hiring for POPxo, I’ve got my pulse on what works and doesn’t work generally – although there are always exceptions to the rule. Landing the job of your dreams should be well within your reach if you’re armed with the right knowledge about acing the interview process. Get set, ready, learn!
Do Your Homework
It’ll hold you in good stead if you walk into the interview armed with information. Research about the company, check their social media handles prior to the interview, read about competitors and also look up the person interviewing you on LinkedIn if possible.
Understand The Role
Do your prep about the role — if you know other people working in a similar role, speak to them.
Practice Your Opening Answer
Prep for commonly asked questions like “tell me about yourself” — we all know that one’s coming. A helpful tip is to relate your past work experience (even if it was an unrelated field) to the role you’re applying for.
Adapt To Virtual Interviews
We live in a new world now and we are going to have to prep for interviews differently in this world. Make sure your background is uncluttered, request that your family members are quiet during your interview, double-check your Internet connection, and do a dry run.
Be Honest
If an interviewer asks you about your weakness, be honest. Don’t go all over the place with a fabricated, unbelievable answer. Stay authentic and actually talk about your weakness but don’t forget to also emphasize how you manage it.
Adopt A ‘We’ Mentality
When inevitably asked if you have any suggestions or ideas for the company to improve, talk like you’re already a part of the company. Co-opt yourself within the company and helpfully say ‘we should do this’ instead of ‘you could try this’.
Never Bad-Mouth Your Past Employers
When asked why you want to move on, be measured and respectful. Don’t launch into an angry rant as to why it didn’t work out with them. That’s plain unprofessional.
Be Transparent If You Don’t Know Something
It’s okay to politely say, “I’m not sure, can I get back to you”, instead of making something up. You’re not supposed to know everything. You’re just supposed to display a willingness to learn.
Ask Questions
Have a set of questions prepared. It shows that you are interested and invested in the company and are already thinking about your future there. The questions don’t need to be company specific, they could also be about the industry. But take the opportunity to talk at this juncture. It could potentially give your interviewer insight on your intelligence and general knowhow.
