We’ve all experienced the feeling of leaving a job interview with that signature sinking feeling — and it’s even worse when you’d had your hopes pinned on the role in question. Job interviews are a universal part of the career world, but whether it’s your first role or your fifth role, the process is always a daunting obstacle between you and your next step.
Here at Runa Recruitment, we provide support for candidates across a breadth of industries to take on the interview process confidently.
Pre-interview: essential considerations
Got an interview looming? Read on for our advice on how to prepare yourself beforehand.
Take time to scope out the specification
When it comes to preparing for an interview, scoping out the role that you’re applying for ought to be your first consideration. More often than not, candidates are blindsided by generic titles, whether it’s ‘Office Manager’ or ‘Digital Account Lead’, making their own assumptions about what the job will entail — but the job specification may paint an entirely different picture. Companies that have an optimised hiring process will likely provide detailed, concise descriptions for their roles, and this is ideal for making a good first impression.
Take the contents, and highlight all of the key roles and responsibilities. Then, make a few quick fire pointers on where your own experience (or skills) will enable you to meet these expectations. This process is also helpful when it comes to crafting the perfect CV, as you can tweak your submission for each role with this practice in mind.
Why knowing the company & its values will set you apart
We’d also recommend that you spend some time growing your understanding of the company that you’re interviewing for. And we’d suggest doing this well in advance, rather than the night before the big day! Spoiler alert: when we're talking about company values, we're not referring to employee benefits!
Being able to communicate a clear-cut perception of the company to the panel will show them you’re invested in joining them. While they will be impressed by your commitment to the opportunity that you’ve been given, they’ll also be keen to hear any ways that your values align with theirs. For example, if you’re applying for a PA role in a BCorp certified firm, then demonstrating your own informed awareness of environmental and social issues will show the panel that you’re on the same page. Companies often look beyond the job role, focusing on the ways that your interpersonal skills align with their particular ethos — and this also serves to ensure you stand out against other applicants.
Different types of interviews & top pointers for each
Navigating an interview format you've not experienced yet? No problem - we're guiding you through each likely setting, weaving in some of our top pieces of wisdom for each.
Virtual interviews
Virtual interviews are commonplace in the post-Covid world, especially as many firms hire for fully-remote or hybrid candidates over the traditional ‘office-first’ model. A virtual interview doesn’t need to be a stress-inducing experience, and even if it’s not something you’re accustomed to, there are plenty of ways to prepare. We’ve listed some easy-to-follow virtual interview tips for you to action:
Give your tech a trial run
Don’t fall foul to last minute technology glitches, and test the call link or your connection before the interview is due to begin. This way, you’ll be able to join smoothly.
Set up a quiet corner for the call
While the pandemic prompted the creation of many at-home offices, not everyone is afforded with the same luxury. It’s not essential though, and the panel won’t view you any differently - just choose a location where there are no visual distractions in the background, and where you can go ahead with the interview without any interruptions.
Phone interviews
Pepping yourself up for a phone interview might seem like a breeze at first - you don’t have to worry about what you’re wearing, and it means you can be as relaxed as you’d like. However, this interview format can pose its own set of challenges. In between waiting for ‘No Caller ID’ to flash up on your screen, and without having the advantage of body language, this scenario can be tricky to navigate. Here are a few pieces of phone interview advice to help you find your flow as soon as you pick up:
Get reasonably comfortable
Despite this format being more laid back than others, we’d suggest that you maintain a slight sense of formality. Aim to sit somewhere that makes you feel relaxed and comfortable, away from background noise. Striking this balance will help you to move through the call seamlessly.
Lay out some tactical notes
This tip isn’t the green flag for reeling off your entire CV to the panel! Instead, if you think it’d be helpful, then lay out some quickfire pointers in front of you ahead of the call. These could be simple 1-2 word phrases that give you a topic to flow into, when asked a specific question. Awkward pauses, be gone!
In-person interviews
In-person interviews haven’t completely disappeared - and many businesses are encouraging employees back into offices by re-introducing this type of format. It actually boasts a series of advantages, and it can be the best way for you to showcase your personality.
Know where you need to be and arrive early
Imagine realising you’re heading to the wrong place when you’re already late? You’ll be sitting down in front of the panel as the most flustered version of yourself - that’s once you’ve got past the OTT apologies! To put it simply, this is a seriously unprofessional move, but the good news is that it can be avoided with some advance planning! In the days before your interview, work out how long it will take you to get there - it goes without saying that you should account for delays if you’ll be taking any form of public transport!
What do I wear to an in-person interview?
Job interview attire has long been synonymous with a scene from ‘The Apprentice’ - think pencil skirts, perfectly-ironed shirts, and your shiniest shoes, dusted off for the occasion. Nowadays, many workplaces have broken away from this type of corporate convention, opting for more laidback day-to-day presentation. It might even be worthwhile asking your recruiter for any specific intel here, as there’s always the risk of going to the total opposite end of the scale.
As a rule of thumb, opting for smart-casual is a foolproof choice, balancing professionalism with expressing yourself. This also applies to candidates that will be interviewed virtually - not being there in-person doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t have to think about how you’re presenting yourself.
During your interview: top tricky questions
Whichever format you’re facing the panel in, you’re certain to come up against some questions that have the potential to throw you off. We’ve shortlisted some of the most triggering topics that interviewers dish out to prospect employees, with tried and tested tips on answering them without breaking a sweat.
Why did you leave your last job?
Feel free to omit any HR sagas, here! Even if the reasoning for finding a new role does involve a storyline that’d be worthy of a number 1 Netflix drama, your prospective new employer doesn’t need to know the ins and outs. Instead, use these prompts:
I was looking for new responsibilities, and my current role was limiting me in this perspective.
I left as I wanted a clearer path for progression - I’ve been refining my skills, but making my next move has led me to look elsewhere..
I want to share my values and skills with a workplace that is like-minded.
What are your weaknesses?
Of course, you might have none at all - but your interview isn’t a test of how in-tact your ego is. Instead, consider these responses:
I’m a keen solo worker, and sometimes Ii forget that asking for help or collaboration will only serve to enhance the quality of my work.
I am too self critical of myself, and I can be precious over my work - I’m keen to find a way to celebrate my wins and be open to input from colleagues.
I lack self-assurance occasionally, even when I know I’ve had an idea that could serve to meet important objectives - I’d like to be in an environment that encourages this sense of ownership.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
We’re debunking this question with one simple fact - be as honest as possible, but remember where you are. Lay out your ambitions, but do so in a way that demonstrates your enthusiasm for the role you’re applying for. You don’t have to make a commitment to becoming part of the office furniture - instead, show the panel your drive and how it could help them to meet their long-term objectives.
Post-interview: ‘Dos and don'ts’ on utilising feedback
When the interview is done and dusted and a decision has been made, many of the employers we work with will endeavour to give you some useful feedback - regardless of the outcome. If you weren’t successful this time around, then their takeaways on your performance can strengthen how you fare in future interviews, so ensure to make note of key points.
Do emphasise the strengths you demonstrated that the employer picked up on
Don’t dwell on your weaknesses - instead, draw upon them as areas to address before your next interview.
Do ask questions - if something has been on your mind following the decision, then don’t be afraid to ask - for example, you might want to know if the team think you’d be better suited to a different role to the one you’d applied for
3 ways that a recruiter can help you ace every interview
Access inside intelligence on the employer
Many recruiters have strong relationships with individual employers, so they might be able to give you a clearer insight into what you can expect ahead of the big day.
Help you to pursue interviews for roles that align with your goals
If you’re simply taking a stab in the dark and applying for roles that don’t actually highlight your skills, then you may be setting yourself up for failure. This is where a recruiter steps in - they can assess your preferences, experience, and ambition, and suggest applications for roles that you will thrive in.
Provide guidance for each interview format
Any seasoned recruiter will have experienced every type of interview format that exists, so don’t be afraid to get specific when it comes to asking for guidance on whatever you’re facing. From dishing out virtual interview tips, to giving you some advice on ensuring your phone interview runs smoothly, we’re here to help.
Hot take: job interviews don’t need to be scary! With plenty of preparation, you’ll be able to present yourself to the panel as the dream candidate, so make use of this advice and sail through your application effortlessly. Want to find a role with us and begin your journey? Take a look at the latest openings on our job board today, or discover our areas of expertise - including digital marketing recruitment, HR recruitment services, and office admin & PA recruitment support.
Job interview tips: FAQs
What's the STAR method, and how can it help with interview answers?
STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result. It's a structured way to answer behavioural questions, by providing specific examples of your experiences.
How do I handle nervousness before and during an interview?
Practice relaxation techniques, prepare thoroughly, and remember that a certain level of nervousness is normal!
Is it okay to ask about salary and benefits during the interview?
It's best to wait until you receive a job offer, or until the interviewer brings up the topic. Focus on showcasing your skills and fit for the role first.