Five tips to help you shine during your interview

Research the company:

Get informed about their mission and values. This will allow you to align your answers with their goals and values, showing that you are genuinely interested in working for them.

Prepare questions:

Show your interest by coming up with relevant questions. This demonstrates that you have done your homework and are proactive in seeking more information.

Make eye contact:

Direct eye contact conveys confidence and trust. This conveys confidence, attentiveness, and trustworthiness.

Embrace nerves:

It is okay to be nervous. Remember that the interviewer knows what it's like and they appreciate your honesty when you tell them you're a bit nervous.

Dress for success:

Choose clothing that reflects your professionalism. First impressions matter, especially when you're trying to land your dream job. Dressing appropriately for an interview can convey professionalism, attention to detail, and your understanding of the company culture. Here are some tips on how to spruce up your wardrobe for different types of interviews:

What to Wear: Dress Codes by Interview Type

a. Formal Interviews:

Think corporations, finance, or law firms. For men, a well-tailored suit in a conservative color like navy, grey, or black is a safe bet. For women, a skirt suit, or a professional dress are viable options. Pair them with polished shoes and minimal accessorie

b. Casual Interviews:

Tech startups or creative fields often have a more relaxed dress code. However, it's still important to look neat and put together. A button-down shirt, and clean shoes are appropriate.

c. Remote Interviews:

You still need to dress up for a video call interview! Dress as if you were going to an in-person interview.

Dive Deep: Mastering Interview Questions

You’ll likely face questions that ask more than just facts, they’re testing how well you understand the company, communicate your story, and handle challenges. These tips and examples will help you structure answers that make an impact, including behavioral and tough-to-answer questions.

Handling Difficult Interview Questions

Before the Interview: Be Thoroughly Prepared

Preparation is your best tool for building confidence and making a strong impression. Start by researching the company’s mission, values, and recent work through its website. Read the job description closely and think about how your skills fit the role, as well as what challenges the position might present. Understanding the company’s needs will help you craft responses that feel relevant and informed. Before the interview, prepare a few thoughtful questions that show your interest, initiative, and alignment with the organization.

During the Interview: Tailor Every Answer

The way you frame your answers matters just as much as the content itself. Always connect your experience to the specific job and explain how you can contribute to the company’s success. Keep your responses professional, avoiding unrelated personal details, and support your points with examples from past experiences. Use phrases like “for example” or “for instance” to make your answers more concrete and relatable. The goal is to show how your background, skills, and achievements directly align with what the employer is looking for.

What to Bring With You

Being prepared with the right materials signals professionalism and reliability. Print several copies of your resume and bring a list of references with updated contact information. It’s also smart to have a quick reference sheet with details from your past jobs, like company names, addresses, phone numbers, and employment dates, in case you need to fill out forms or recall specifics during the conversation.

How to Answer Difficult or Unexpected Questions

It’s okay not to have the perfect answer for every question, how you handle tough moments is what matters. Speak naturally, not like you’re reciting a script. If you’re asked something you don’t have direct experience with, be honest, but immediately follow up with “however” and share something relevant you do know or have done. Use that moment to show your adaptability, eagerness to learn, and how you can quickly get up to speed. Your confidence and problem-solving mindset will speak louder than a flawless resume ever could.

Behavioral Questions

Behavioral Questions

Interviews may also include behavioral questions that aren’t as easy to prepare for. Behavioral interviews assess what you have done in the past, not what you say you might do in the future. This allows hiring managers to assess you more objectively. The premise is that past behavior is the best indicator of future behavior. Interviewers develop a list of questions based upon specific competencies needed to be successful in the role they are hiring.

To do well in a behavioral interview, you must be able to tell stories that link your experience and skills to the position. Key words to use are "For example" or "For instance". Do your homework and research the employer’s core values, since some questions will more than likely relate to them. Be sure to focus on the job and the key skills the employer wants. Back up your answers with work or school examples. Present a situation or task that you faced, describe the action you took, and detail the results that you achieved.

Examples of Behavioral Questions:

• Tell me how you worked effectively under pressure or in a stressful situation.
• In working on a project, what was your role and what did you do? What problems or issues were there and how did you handle it?
• Tell me about a situation in which you demonstrated your leadership ability.
• Interview preparation with recorded mock interviews.
• What are your three greatest strengths?
• How would you handle a situation if your boss failed to adequately communicate with you?

How to answer one of the trickiest interview questions

What Is Your Weakness?

Have you ever been stumped by the "What is your weakness?" question in an interview? It's a common and legitimate question. Interviewers aren't aiming to embarrass you or find reasons not to hire you. Instead, they're gauging your self-awareness and your approach to overcoming challenges.

How to Answer the 'Weakness' Question

When answering this question, you need to find a balance. You don't want to come across as too perfect, nor do you want to disclose a trait that could hurt your chances of landing the job. Here's a step-by-step approach:

1. Identify a Non-Essential Skill: Pick a weakness that isn't a core requirement for the job. For a marketing job, saying you aren't good at coding is perfectly acceptable.
2. Show Self-Awareness: Acknowledge that you know this is a weakness and show that you are aware of it.
3. Describe How You're Improving: Showcase how you're working on your weakness. This shows that you're proactive and invested in personal growth.

Examples of 'Weakness' Answers

• "I sometimes struggle with delegating tasks. I'm aware that it's important to trust my team so I've started to delegate small tasks and gradually increase the responsibility."
• "Public speaking has always been a challenge for me. However, I've been attending Toastmasters meetings to improve my communication skills."

Remember, the goal is not to present yourself as flawless, but rather to illustrate your ability to recognize, accept, and work on your weaknesses. With a bit of practice and mindfulness, you'll master the art of skillfully revealing your weaknesses in a job interview. Good luck!