Tips for navigating the interview process

Know your resume

I’m always surprised (concerned!) when candidates can’t give precise answers to information on their resume.

“When did you leave that role?”

“Ummmm, I think March 2022?”

Don’t answer a direct question with a question or a vague answer.

Make sure you know your dates, can give a concise answer about why you left previous roles and can articulate any key metrics you’ve included on your resume. We can all get nervous but this is information you have provided.

Be prepared to talk about your learnings, successes and achievements in prior roles and have quantifiable examples.

Be prepared for situational questions

“If you were faced with multiple urgent tasks and knew you couldn’t complete them all by their deadlines, how would you prioritize them?”

“How would you handle a situation where a client or customer is upset and vocal about their dissatisfaction with a product or service?”

“Describe what you would do if you were working under a tight deadline and encountered unexpected obstacles that threatened to delay completion.”

“If you were leading a team and it was consistently missing its targets, what actions would you take?”

Be familiar with the STAR technique in terms of being able to respond with:

• · A “Situation” which aligns to the question
• · Your “Task” in that context – what was your role or responsibilities?
• · What “Actions” you took in the situation
• · What was the “Result” or outcome

Be prepared for some behavioural questions:

What does success mean to you?

How would you develop relationships with internal stakeholders when joining a new team?

What does teamwork mean to you?

What would your current manager describe you?

What is the best way to manage you?

Be prepared to say why the role and organisation interests you

• · Read the JD and, if working with a recruiter, ask for additional insights into both the company and the interviewers.
• · Study the website. Know the product or service and can be a great source of information to prepare some robust questions for the end of the interview.
• · See if you are connected to anyone currently working in the organisation and, if so, ask them for insights or interview advice.

Be prepared with some questions to ask the interviewers

• · If there is information in the public domain about new products, M&A, competitors, ask about these.
• · Ask about success. “What would success in this role look like at the 6 month mark?”
• · Ask what the interviewers enjoy about working for the organization and what made them join the team.
• · Ask about next steps to manage your expectations.
• Above all, be your authentic self whilst being mindful that you are in an interview setting.

 

Maidlin Mistry

Divisional Manager

Maidlin has worked in the recruitment industry for over 20 years with both boutique firms and listed multi-nationals. She has recently returned home to Melbourne after spending 4 years in Singapore where she partnered with global investment banks, hedge funds and growing technology firms focusing on HR and strategy roles…