For starters…
We all know the basic prep needed… Research the company, the role and the person who will interview you. Refresh your CV and make sure it fits the role. Collect your interview suit from the cleaners and do a dry run travelling to the place of the interview. And don’t forget to set your alarm!
But what else can you do to make sure you really stand out?
Here are 4 techniques to raise your preparation to the next level:
Prepare the 3 main things that you want your interviewer to know about you before the end of the interview
Identify 3 skills and experiences that show your value to the organisation and the role. This is where your research on the organisation comes into play. Link your 3 things to their culture, strategy, growth pattern etc.
For example, you could highlight your interpersonal skills and your ability to get things done efficiently; or perhaps your record of consistently completing projects ahead of schedule.
How about that time when you generated revenue and increased productivity with your innovative approach? Use examples to support how you did it and why and remember to link your successes to their needs in the future.
Hold back from discussing salary too soon in the interview
Do you really know enough about the role to understand what value you would bring to it and the organisation?
The later in the interview that you talk about potential salary, the more opportunity you will have had to demonstrate your worth and value.
If you have shown success in previous roles in your personal examples of skills and experiences, you will be in a stronger position to negotiate the value that you will bring to them!
Prepare to negotiate by attending a Negotiation Skills course.
Be honest and positive on why you want a career move
Honesty is always the best policy; however, you don’t need to share all information if it is not relevant. Prepare to share the positive reasons for the move, not the negative. Your interviewer will be looking for someone that wants to succeed and invest in their new role. Not picking up the pieces from a previous bad experience.
Prepare your responses to questions on your reasons for changing jobs, keeping them brief and to the point.
Self-awareness and self-improvement are positive reasons to strive for success in your next role.
Be yourself
Prepare to give your interviewer a glimpse of the real you. In many organisations, attitude and personality are equally as important as experience and qualifications.
If you have acted a part to get the job, you will be expected to be like that when you start work. Your performance will not be on point and you will soon struggle.
It is important that you are the right fit for the organisation and that they are the right fit for you!
Conclusion
Spend time to consider your approach and examples for discussion during the interview. Your interview should end with the opportunity for you to ask questions.
Use these final moments to leave a strong impression with the interviewer that confirms you are the best person for the job!
