Our Guide to Acing the Job Interview
Our Guide to Acing the Job Interview
No matter where you are in your career, the job interview is an experience we all have in common.
But if job interviews make you nervous, you're not alone! The good news is that there's an art form to the interview process that you can master.
At Cenera, we understand every aspect of the interview process. Whether we're helping employers navigate search and recruitment or coaching individuals through a career transition, we have tons of advice to offer.
Remember that you've reached the interview stage for a reason; you are a great candidate with the right experience to succeed in the role.
So how do you translate an outstanding resume into an exceptional interview? Here's our advice.
Preparation Makes Perfect
The key to a great job interview? Confidence.
And the secret to confidence is preparation. A good rule of thumb is to spend twice as much time preparing as you think you need to.
To make the most of your preparation work before an interview, you should:
Understand how the company sees itself. Don't just learn what they do but take the time to understand how they talk about themselves. That way, you can mirror their language back to them in the interview process, demonstrating that you are also a fit from a values perspective.
Review the job description and connect it to your skills and experiences. Go through the job posting line by line and come up with concrete examples you can point to for why you'd be great in the role. Ensure you can also summarize your skills in an "elevator pitch" (30 seconds or less).
Get the inside scoop. Talk to people in your network who may have an inside view of the company's culture. This could also help you identify if there are any red flags or issues you need to be aware of.
Creating Your Leaving Story
A common question asked in interviews is, “Why did you leave your last job?” If you were let go from your last position or had a less-than-ideal work experience, there is a right way (and a wrong way!) to handle that.
Plan what you'll say ahead of time. Anticipate that this question is likely to come up, so make sure you know what you want to say before you go into the interview.
Keep it diplomatic. Speaking poorly about someone else or dwelling on the past rarely makes a good first impression. Acknowledge why you are no longer with the company and showcase what you learned during your time there.
Keep it short. You don't need to offer a blow-by-blow of everything that happened; a few short sentences will suffice.
Be future-focused. Reinforce your excitement of diving into something new and your interest in the job you’re interviewing for.
Ask Great Questions
Would you make any major life decision without getting your questions answered first? We didn't think so. And the same should be true for a job interview.
Asking your interviewer questions is a great way to demonstrate your enthusiasm and can help you assess whether the role is the right fit for you.
Questions like;
What will success look like for this role?
What will a typical day be like for the person in this role?
How do you encourage professional development and career growth?
What do you enjoy about working here?
Can all offer great insight.
Navigate the Tricky Moments with Tact
Tricky moments can come up in any interview process; the key is how you deal with them.
Here are some common experiences you might encounter;
You're stumped by an interview question – Don't bluff your answer. Take a moment to think about your experience and share an example of how you've approached similar problems in the past.
You're asked about salary expectations – Keep it direct and short; for example, "Based on my research and experience, I believe this role would be around $XYZ salary. Does this match your budget?" And then stop talking and let them respond – don't feel the need to over-explain or fill the silence!
You want to know more about perks (such as work-from-home) – Be straightforward but not demanding. For example, "In my previous role, I did XYZ – would that be an option here?"
Let Them Know You Want the Job
You’ve been talking with the interviewer, answering their questions, and demonstrating you’re the right candidate for the job. At the end of the interview, you want to express your interest in the job and ask for it in a polite and respectful way.
You could say something like:
"Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me today. I really enjoyed learning more about the company and the position, and I think my skills and experience would be a great fit. I'm very interested in this opportunity, and I would love the chance to work with your team."
Plan Your Follow-Up
While you never want to be pushy, a brief thank you note sent to the hiring manager within 24 hours of the interview is a crucial opportunity to demonstrate your interest in the role.
Thank them for their time and mention one or two specific things from the interview that excite you about the job.
On the other hand, if you're certain the interview didn't go well, sending a follow-up note is still a good idea. Keep it short and sweet. Admit that you didn't perform your best but that you're very excited about the position and would love the chance to have another conversation.
And if you don't get the job, sending a follow-up note saying you enjoyed the interview process and would love any feedback is ok too. You may not get a response, but as long as you aren't pushy, most hiring managers don't mind offering a few points of feedback that could be extremely helpful for future interviews.
Cenera's customizable career transition services help employees take the next steps on their career journey. Our modular approach allows both employers and transitioning employees to tailor our services to meet their needs. Employees supported through the transition process are far more likely to maintain their confidence and land a new role faster than those who don't.
Contact us today to learn more.
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