Expert advice from Quids in! Job Coach Garry Wheadon to help us shine and land our dream job
If you’ve got an interview — well done! It shows the employer likes the look of your CV and wants to learn more about you. While initial excitement is natural, it’s also normal to feel nervous, especially if you’ve been out of the ‘job market’ for a period of time.
We asked Quids in! Job Coach Garry Wheadon to help us understand what to expect and how best to prepare for the best chance to be successful.
Before the interview
Q) What should I do first?
A) Read over the job post again and look in more detail to make sure you are familiar with what the employer is looking for and also what the job is. The more you know the more confident and relaxed you will be at the interview.
Here are the areas of the job post to be familiar with:
- About us – Information on the employer e.g. what do they do and what are their values?
- Role/job overview – What are you expected to do?
- Key responsibilities – What are the main requirements and expectations of the role?
- What we’re looking for – What skills and qualities is the employer looking for?
Q) Should I research the company before the interview?
A) Yes. Researching the company helps you see if it’s a good fit and shows the employer you’re serious about the role. Look at their website, mission statement, social media, and industry news to gain insights into their culture, goals, and recent developments.
Q) What type of questions will I be asked at the interview?
A) They’ll often ask questions about you, your career, goals and personal qualities, like:
- Why do you want this job?
- Why do you want to work for us?
- What are your strengths/weaknesses?
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Use these to draft pre-prepared answers, highlighting your skills and successes with a variety of examples.
Q) Is there anything to help me to provide a clear structure for my answers?
A) One way to achieve a solid structure for each question is to use the STAR technique:
Situation – Help them understand your level of experience. When did it happen, what led to the task?
Task – Outline what needed to be done and why. What did you set out to achieve?
Action – What did you do personally? How? Make sure you answer each question with what you actually did rather than what you and your colleagues did.
Result – Explain the results. This helps them understand in real terms the kinds of outcomes your skills can bring to the role.
Q) My mind goes blank when I am asked if I have any questions. Is it important to ask questions?
A)Yes — It’s always a good idea to ask at least one question, as it shows you are interested and engaged. Common interview questions to ask:
- What does a typical day look like?
- What are the opportunities for training and progression in the company?
- What are the next steps? When do you think you will be able to let me know if I have been successful?
Click here to review more common questions and how to answer them. Use these to draft pre-prepared answers, highlighting your skills and successes.
Interview Day
The interview day has arrived. Hopefully you have completed all of your preparations and are feeling confident. It’s normal to feel nervous, so practice calming techniques like deep breathing. Remember, the interviewer wants you to succeed.
Q) What other things should I consider?
A)Things to think about:
What to wear – Wear clothing that suits the job you’re interviewing for. Make sure you feel comfortable but it is never a good idea to wear ripped jeans.
Travel plans – Allow more time to travel than you need and on the day of the interview check for travel delays or bad weather alerts.
Virtual – Many interviews are on Zoom or Teams, so learn the platform and log in ten to fifteen minutes early to check connections.
What to take – Remember anything you need to take with you, for example, a copy of your CV, ID documents if requested.
Be positive – This is your opportunity to present the best possible version of yourself on the day.
Image: Inside Creative House / Shutterstock
