Raise your hand if you have recently had one of THOSE job interviews. That left you completely drained and hopeless.
You thought of it as: "an endless, excruciating interrogation, questioning your every choice".
No worries - we have all been there and know the feeling. It’s not the end of the world if you flunk one interview.
That’s why we are here to help with our top 5 tips on how to perform well during interviews. Some tried and tested advice to help you present the best version of yourself.
The wise words of the infamous Miguel de Cervantes - and we completely agree with him.
Think of your job interviews as those pesky A levels for which you prepared ages ago. Reading up and taking the time to study was the only way to succeed. The same goes for job interviews.
Get a bit more familiar with your potential employer's portfolio.
What sort of projects have they worked on?
What sphere do they thrive in?
What are they recognized for?
Also read up on the person, who you would be meeting.
What has their career been like so far?
Can you find any common grounds between you two?
Our advice - prepare yourself in advance, so that you would be able to showcase your research skills and genuine interest in the position.
Job interviews can feel like you are under the microscope.
Remember that stress and anxiety beforehand are normal: this means you actually care about the position you are applying for.
But finding your own way of learning to cope with them can be a real game-changer.
Our advice - take a few minutes to calm your breath, drink some water, and relax. Because showing off who you are under stress is mission impossible.
Being an active listener during the job interview can get you places.
During the interview, stop constantly stressing out about what you are going to say. Rather focus on the questions you are being asked - the tone of voice and the precise words.
Because if you are able to establish a friendly rapport, you will be able to get a lot more out of this conversation.
Our advice - don’t think of the interviewer as an institution. But as a potential colleague, you would like to impress and work with.
This is probably the most awkward aspect of any job interview.
The “Do you have any questions?” ending. 99% of you would ask something about the salary or future job prospects, right?
But let’s be honest for 5 seconds - what would you like to know about the company?
If you have done your proper research - you would probably be somewhat intrigued by the company's portfolio.
Our advice - ask the questions you ACTUALLY want to know the answer to. For example - "You have worked on the amazing project X. Would my potential role involve similar projects?"
After the interview is done, stop replaying potential scenarios in your head.
You have done the best you could and presented yourself just the way you are.
If you get an invite to a second interview or a job offer - that would be awesome. If not - there are plenty of fish in the sea.
Our advice - the right opportunity exists somewhere out there for you. So don’t stress; take the time to find your place, even if it does take a lot of attempts, failures, and No’s. Because in the end, it’s worth it.
Need help with finding the perfect job opportunity? Contact us now!
