Applying for a job can be nerve wracking. Here are some of our best interview tips to make the process smoother.
Research- Before you interview for a position at a company, make sure you do your homework. Go through the company website, read up on their recent news articles and try talking to past or former employees. Knowing some basic information about the organisation will help you know what to expect at the company, show your interest to the interviewer and equip you to ask better questions. In an online interview, resist the urge to open the company website on another tab as you speak. Speaking while reading from your screen looks more obvious than you think. If you have made notes, don’t refer to them constantly. Get familiar with your content before the interview.
Know Yourself- It’s extremely easy to talk about yourself but when the interviewer asks “Can you please tell me a little bit about yourself?”, resist the temptation to go on and on. Keep your introduction crisp and relevant. A pro tip here would be to describe your past roles and what you did, not what the mission of the previous companies you worked at was.
Dress the Part- Make sure you dress professionally even if the organization has a casual dress code. It makes people take you seriously and shows that you are taking the interview seriously. Even for virtual interviews, where the interviewer may only see you from the waist up, dressing professionally sets your mind in the appropriate headspace.
Scheduling the interview: For an in person interview, you may not get the opportunity to schedule the interview for a date and time that works best for you. But for an online interview, if you do get a choice, choose a day and time where distractions will be at a minimum. Maybe a time when your family members are at school or work and there is a least chance of someone walking in mid conversation. That being said, for online interviews, be prepared to be observed by several people on the interviewers end. There may be others watching or listening in, but don’t let that affect you.
Test your Tech: Before an online interview, take the time to make sure all of your devices are charged and running smoothly. Check your internet connection- use an online internet speed test ( https://www.speedtest.net/ ). A speed lower than 5mbps may cause disruptions. Use earphones/headphones to minimise background noise and make sure your webcam is working well. Keep any material you may need in front of you and make sure you are sitting in a spot with ample light.
Practise: Practise talking to a friend or even with yourself in front of a mirror. If you feel uncomfortable talking into a computer, a quick tip is to make a stick figure and stick it behind your camera. That may help you look straight and not feel as uncomfortable. For interviews where you have to record and send in your answers, don’t skip the practise round! It will help you gather your thoughts and get familiar with recording yourself.
The Conversation: While in an interview, remember to drive conversation and be proactive. Don’t just answer the questions asked to you, initiate conversation to show your interest.It may be tough to gauge the listener's interest and emotions in an online interview. But don't get intimated, and make sure to be confident. Ask questions and show that you are willing to go the extra mile.
Follow up: Once the interview is over, email the interviewer and follow up with them. Mention your name and the position you are following up for and express your interest in the role. You may even ask for an update on the position.
Applying for a job can be nerve wracking. Here are some of our best interview tips to make the process smoother.
Research- Before you interview for a position at a company, make sure you do your homework. Go through the company website, read up on their recent news articles and try talking to past or former employees. Knowing some basic information about the organisation will help you know what to expect at the company, show your interest to the interviewer and equip you to ask better questions. In an online interview, resist the urge to open the company website on another tab as you speak. Speaking while reading from your screen looks more obvious than you think. If you have made notes, don’t refer to them constantly. Get familiar with your content before the interview.
Know Yourself- It’s extremely easy to talk about yourself but when the interviewer asks “Can you please tell me a little bit about yourself?”, resist the temptation to go on and on. Keep your introduction crisp and relevant. A pro tip here would be to describe your past roles and what you did, not what the mission of the previous companies you worked at was.
Dress the Part- Make sure you dress professionally even if the organization has a casual dress code. It makes people take you seriously and shows that you are taking the interview seriously. Even for virtual interviews, where the interviewer may only see you from the waist up, dressing professionally sets your mind in the appropriate headspace.
Scheduling the interview: For an in person interview, you may not get the opportunity to schedule the interview for a date and time that works best for you. But for an online interview, if you do get a choice, choose a day and time where distractions will be at a minimum. Maybe a time when your family members are at school or work and there is a least chance of someone walking in mid conversation. That being said, for online interviews, be prepared to be observed by several people on the interviewers end. There may be others watching or listening in, but don’t let that affect you.
Test your Tech: Before an online interview, take the time to make sure all of your devices are charged and running smoothly. Check your internet connection- use an online internet speed test ( https://www.speedtest.net/ ). A speed lower than 5mbps may cause disruptions. Use earphones/headphones to minimise background noise and make sure your webcam is working well. Keep any material you may need in front of you and make sure you are sitting in a spot with ample light.
Practise: Practise talking to a friend or even with yourself in front of a mirror. If you feel uncomfortable talking into a computer, a quick tip is to make a stick figure and stick it behind your camera. That may help you look straight and not feel as uncomfortable. For interviews where you have to record and send in your answers, don’t skip the practise round! It will help you gather your thoughts and get familiar with recording yourself.
The Conversation: While in an interview, remember to drive conversation and be proactive. Don’t just answer the questions asked to you, initiate conversation to show your interest.It may be tough to gauge the listener's interest and emotions in an online interview. But don't get intimated, and make sure to be confident. Ask questions and show that you are willing to go the extra mile.
Follow up: Once the interview is over, email the interviewer and follow up with them. Mention your name and the position you are following up for and express your interest in the role. You may even ask for an update on the position.