MindWorks - Interview Tips

Interview Tips

Going for a new job interview can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. It could be a fun learning experience which is constructive and easy!
You too are interviewing the employer as your goal is to find a career that matches with your desires, skills and adapts to your culture!

Review the company website and be able to discuss comfortably
Know the job description of the role you are applying for well
Come prepared with several questions about the job and the company
Be authentic and sincere
Adapt your non-verbal communication skills (speed of voice, attitude, gestures, vocabulary) to the interviewer
Think about what makes you unique and different. Sharing an anecdote or something personal about you helps the interviewer to remember you and that way you stand out! Each individual has their own story, what is yours?
Answer these questions to yourself to prepare:
- What is your value for this company?
- What is your value to this specific job?

Companies are looking for people who are communicative, have the ability to adapt to change, are flexible and can follow the business evolution. Your ability to transfer knowledge, share your experience, have a positive ‘can do’ attitude and collaborate in a group, show real commitment, take responsibility for your actions and examine yourself, focus on results, extend your full potential.

Think about experiences in your personal and professional life where you are able to show these qualities!

Behavioral interviewing technique

Behavioral interviewing is used to examine how you previously reacted or ‘behaved’ in a specific situation. Employers use this technique because it is believed that past behavior is a way to predict future behavior. The aim is to assess your competencies or ‘soft skills’ for the job.
When the interviewer asks you a question, try to follow this approach: Situation / Action / Outcome.

Describe the specific event, activity or ‘Situation’; and then to
Discuss your own ‘Action’ or reaction to the event or situation; and then
Outline the outcome or final result

Question:

Can you give me an example of a time when you managed your stress level wellin the workplace?

Answer:

Situation
I was working on a new system migration from windows XP to Vista. This was a rollout for 1,500 PCs. My main tasks were to manage this project within an aggressive time frame, while still providing business continuity, a quality roll-out, and within the budget allocated.

Action
Using established arguments with facts and figures, I had to convince my management to increase the task force and extend the project deliverables by several weeks.

Outcome
The results of my efforts were that the client expectations were managed in a better way, the project was delivered successfully, on time and in a quality manner.

Interview Tip #1: Don't answer a question by only yes or no

Interview Tip #2: Use positive language in your answers

Interview Tip #3: Don't use standard responses

Interview Tip #4: People like people like themselves... so try to adapt your voice tone, speed and gestures to the interviewer

Interview Tip #5: Be positive, tell the truth, show you are genuine

Interview Tip #6: Give pertinent examples which show you can perform the job

Interview Tip #7: Use this model in your interview answers: Explain the project or job context, discuss your specific responsibility in relation to that project, explain briefly the outcome or results

Interview Tip #8: Know the person's name who is interviewing you when you arrive and use it! "Hello Mr. Vandenbergh. I am Sonia Thompson, here for an interview at 2pm."

Interview Tip #9: Prepare your interview: Know common stats of the company: What industry do they operate in? Banking? Telecom? Pharmaceutical? Retail Clothing?

Interview Tip #10: Prepare your interview: Know common stats of the company: What is their #1 product or service which brings them their greatest revenue?