An interview is a standard procedure within the job process. If you find yourself in an active job search, it’s likely you will have to face an interview.
Interviews can be a nerve-racking experience. You want to impress and stand out from the crowd. The best way to crack an interview is the preparation you put into it. Not only will this give you the information you’ll need to succeed, but you’ll also feel a lot more confident. After all, no one wants to hire someone who turns up to an interview clueless. With that being said, let’s take a look at some of ARTO’s top tips to ensure you nail your interview.
LEARN AS MUCH AS YOU CAN ABOUT THE COMPANY
Do your research and find out as much as you can about the company and what it stands for. Whether it’s their story, key values, or future goals, talking about this with confidence will impress the interviewer. Start by looking on their company website, checking out their social media pages, and perhaps looking into the interviewer themselves and their role at the company.
RESEARCH THE JOB AND IT’S MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
Much like learning about the company, it’s also a good idea to get to grips on the role you’re applying for. This goes further than just looking at the job description though. You should look into each of the responsibilities and try to come up with examples of when you have used them in previous roles, or why you think you’d be able to meet them. While you’re looking for a job, a business is looking for the perfect candidate, by making sure you know what they’re looking for you will have a much higher chance of success.
DOUBLE CHECK THE LOCATION OF THE INTERVIEW
Whether it’s face to face or online, make sure you’re certain of the location of your interview. Do all the necessary things to prepare like keeping note of the postcode, looking into different travel methods, or if it’s online, ensuring you have the correct platform downloaded and ready to go. No one wants to turn up to the wrong location for an interview, so doing these things will ensure this does not happen.
FIND SOMEWHERE QUIET
Online interviews have become the modern method to speak with potential employers. If you’re having an online interview, there are a few things you will want to do to prepare. Ensure you have a quiet space to stay focused and conduct your interview. This will enhance your answers, as having no distractions around will give you the ability to develop more thoughtful responses than if you were in a busy location. You will also want to look professional. Try blurring the background to reduce a busy backdrop causing a distraction. Avoid wearing anything darker than your background so you don’t look like a floating head.
DON’T BE LATE
You may be feeling nervous before an interview, which is expected. Now imagine how your nerves will be after sprinting from your car because you’re running late. Turning up late to an interview will give a poor first impression, and is likely to make the interview question your punctuality. Always make sure to be a few minutes early!
ASK QUESTIONS
Asking questions at the end of an interview is a sign of someone who is genuinely interested in the role and company they are applying for. This is likely to impress an interviewer, especially over someone with no questions. Have a think about what you want to ask prior to the interview so you are prepared.
SUMMARISE AT THE END
Our brain is wired to best remember the things we heard last. That means you need to end the conversation with your interviewer on a high, as this is the last chance to sell yourself. Some things you might want to consider mentioning include: your most marketable skills, enthusiasm for the role and interest in the next steps, or your “cultural” fit.
Get In Touch with Us
If you’ve been having no luck with succeeding in interviews, we can help!
We specialise in hiring across a variety of life sciences roles, and are experts in the interview process.
Take a look at the roles we’re hiring for and get in touch.
