3 Interview Must-Knows to Get Through That Job Interview With Confidence

When it comes to job interviews, in order to do well, it's usually about showcasing how you are aligning yourself to the hiring organisation's goals and expectations. However, we know this isn't necessarily easy — especially if you've been handed more than a handful of career challenges and role rejections.

To help you better prepare for your interviews, here are the three key tips to help boost their chances of success.

Tip 1: Practice with someone to gain confidence

A face-to-face interview is the best chance to present to the hiring company how well you fit the job, the team and the office culture.

The best way to prepare for this is to practise the questions you are likely to encounter with someone. If time permits, work with a career coach who can further help you shape your responses and identify any blind spots you may have.

There was a particular individual who came to Workforce Singapore for career coaching assistance. He was a 57-year-old PMET who had been unemployed for more than a year and had not been to any job interview for over 10 years.

During his first interview role-play, he was very nervous. When asked questions, he would beat around the bush and could not give any specific answers. His responses were littered with ‘lahs’, and he was rocking on the chair throughout the entire session.

After wrapping up the session, these blind spots were pointed out, with advise on how to rectify these issues and better present his answers at interview. He made much progress in subsequent rounds as his answers continued to be fine-tuned. Eventually, he was confident enough to attend an actual interview and subsequently managed to secure a job.

Tip 2: Know your facts

Your knowledge and understanding about the company, the job you applied for and how you can add value will give you an added advantage during the interview.

So it's important to attempt these tasks before going for your interview:

• Research on the company and its culture. Learn more about the interviewer(s) you are likely to meet through LinkedIn or your social network, so as to find common topics you can use as conversation starters during the interview.

• Prepare answers in point-form to some common questions. e.g. Tell me about yourself, what are your strengths and how can you add value to this role?

• List your pull factors — not push ones — such as what attracted you to the company and job.

Tip 3: Be positive

Presenting yourself professionally is important. Think about the image you wish to present and carry yourself, the way you want people to see you.

Never complain about previous employers or recall past problems. Always answer positively and end each answer on a positive note.

Even when answering questions about your weaknesses, do not describe only the things you are poor at. Go that step further to explain what you've done to improve yourself or a work situation.

For example, if communication is one of your challenges, a possible response would be, “Telling my co-workers the mistakes they have made and the mess they have created was very challenging for me. So I requested to attend a workplace communication course to learn how to communicate better. I not only learnt how to frame objective comments and provide constructive feedback, I also gained confidence in speaking to my co-workers. This really made working together so much more pleasant.”

If you're looking for more career advice, visit MyCareersFuture for articles to help you on your career journey.

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