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Transcript

How to Succeed at Interview · Enhance.training

• 0:00
  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to this Enhanced.training podcast on how to succeed in an interview.
• 0:06
  SPEAKER_00: Enhanced.training provides online business training for busy managers, so take a look on the courses on offer and think about transforming your performance.
• 0:16
  SPEAKER_00: My name is Jess Coles and I'm taking you through this subject because I have sat as a hiring manager in over a thousand interviews.
• 0:23
  SPEAKER_00: I've been through myself and selected candidates using selection processes at top-tier companies such as Innocent Drinks, Foster's, EMY, as well as many mid-sized businesses.
• 0:35
  SPEAKER_00: I've recruited CEOs through to more junior staff, and I want to share some of my experience to make a difference to how you succeed at interviews.
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, let's get into the podcast.
• 0:49
  SPEAKER_00: Going to interviews can be a stressful, nerve-wracking experience, even for those with plenty of experience.
• 0:56
  SPEAKER_00: The nerves, worrying about what interview questions are going to be asked and will you have a good answer for them.
• 1:03
  SPEAKER_00: Being in the spotlight and quizzed on your experience and what you think and what you've done is not most people's idea of fun.
• 1:12
  SPEAKER_00: And nearly every job requires you to attend an interview, whether it's an internal promotion or an external job.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_00: Interviews are here to stay, so it makes sense to practice how to succeed in an interview.
• 1:26
  SPEAKER_00: So, how do you get to the point where you're going to succeed in an interview?
• 1:32
  SPEAKER_00: Well, being calm, relaxed, and confident feels so much better than nervous, apprehensive, and on edge.
• 1:40
  SPEAKER_00: When nervous, you don't act quite like your normal self, thinking straight is a little bit harder, and you get flustered much more quickly, and can quite often walk out of the interview saying, Why did I answer the question in that way?
• 1:54
  SPEAKER_00: I should have said this.
• 1:57
  SPEAKER_00: When calm and confident, having spent time researching and preparing, you want to get into the interview to show off all that hard work.
• 2:06
  SPEAKER_00: You want to demonstrate how keen you are on this job.
• 2:09
  SPEAKER_00: You can't wait to tell the interviewer about all the skills and experience you have that will allow you to do a great job.
• 2:18
  SPEAKER_00: Picture that phone ringing and the hiring manager telling you, We were really impressed by you, everyone really liked you, and we'd really like you to start.
• 2:26
  SPEAKER_00: When can you?
• 2:28
  SPEAKER_00: You've succeeded in an interview.
• 2:30
  SPEAKER_00: What a great feeling that is.
• 2:33
  SPEAKER_00: Getting the right job is not all about how well you prepare.
• 2:36
  SPEAKER_00: There are many factors involved, but the preparation is the key area you control and it makes a big impact on your chances of success.
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_00: So why wouldn't you prepare?
• 2:48
  SPEAKER_00: And one of those favourite sayings is fail to prepare, prepare to fail.
• 2:55
  SPEAKER_00: Let's go through seven different ways on how to prepare for interviews.
• 3:00
  SPEAKER_00: First, focus on what you're good at and love doing.
• 3:05
  SPEAKER_00: So don't apply to jobs that you don't have the skills to do, or at least okay at, or that will make you miserable.
• 3:11
  SPEAKER_00: What's the point?
• 3:12
  SPEAKER_00: Life's too short, and this is not how to succeed in an interview.
• 3:18
  SPEAKER_00: Make a start by writing down the parts of past jobs you are good at, and the bits that you really like doing.
• 3:26
  SPEAKER_00: Think about all those projects or tasks that you aced, and doing so made a difference to your employer.
• 3:32
  SPEAKER_00: Cast your mind back to all those positive comments made in your appraisals or by your colleagues.
• 3:38
  SPEAKER_00: So focus on playing to your strengths and work on improving these.
• 3:43
  SPEAKER_00: You'll be able to progress much further in your career by focusing on strengths and spending a lot of energy on improving your weaker areas.
• 3:52
  SPEAKER_00: So focus on what you're good at.
• 3:55
  SPEAKER_00: The second area or second step is to write down your achievements.
• 4:01
  SPEAKER_00: All your statements you make on your CV or during interviews about key skills and experiences will need proof to back them up.
• 4:09
  SPEAKER_00: It is easy to make statements, but much harder to tell stories that demonstrate those statements.
• 4:16
  SPEAKER_00: Make sure you tell those stories backed up by specific and relevant achievements.
• 4:22
  SPEAKER_00: Go through your experience and write down all the achievements you have delivered personally or through your team.
• 4:28
  SPEAKER_00: Focus on providing context and talk about the results achieved.
• 4:34
  SPEAKER_00: How much time, effort or money did you save?
• 4:38
  SPEAKER_00: Talk about achievements in terms of how the company you are working for benefited.
• 4:43
  SPEAKER_00: Providing proof strengthens your CV and provides the backbone of how to succeed in an interview.
• 4:52
  SPEAKER_00: Step three.
• 4:53
  SPEAKER_00: Be clear about and prioritize your values.
• 4:57
  SPEAKER_00: Values I hear you say?
• 4:59
  SPEAKER_00: What have these got to do with getting a job?
• 5:01
  SPEAKER_00: Well, surprisingly, a lot.
• 5:03
  SPEAKER_00: People hire people they like.
• 5:06
  SPEAKER_00: It is easier to like those with similar values to yourself.
• 5:10
  SPEAKER_00: And being selfish, the more similar the company's values are to yours, the happier you'll be, the better at your job you'll be, and the further ahead you'll get in your career at that company.
• 5:22
  SPEAKER_00: And the research proves it.
• 5:25
  SPEAKER_00: So there are lots of reasons why you should pay attention to your values.
• 5:29
  SPEAKER_00: So spend time working out which of your values are important to you in the workplace.
• 5:35
  SPEAKER_00: Place them in order, the must-haves at the top and the not so fussed at the bottom.
• 5:41
  SPEAKER_00: Apply for companies, sorry, apply to jobs at companies that you think have a similar set of key values to you.
• 5:49
  SPEAKER_00: You'll discover more about the company's values and the hiring manager's approach and style during the interview process through how you're treated.
• 5:57
  SPEAKER_00: So all those are clues as to the type of values that company has.
• 6:03
  SPEAKER_00: Step four.
• 6:04
  SPEAKER_00: Tips on writing your C V.
• 6:08
  SPEAKER_00: Write your CV using your likes, your strengths, and your achievements.
• 6:13
  SPEAKER_00: The most popular CV format by far is the reverse chronological order, with the most recent role first through to the oldest roles at the back.
• 6:22
  SPEAKER_00: And think, can you tell your story in six seconds?
• 6:26
  SPEAKER_00: That's all you've got to grab the reader's interest, or your CV goes onto the reject pile along with 80% more or more of other applicants.
• 6:34
  SPEAKER_00: It's pretty scary, isn't it?
• 6:36
  SPEAKER_00: But that's the length of time that the average recruiter spends on looking at your CV.
• 6:41
  SPEAKER_00: Six seconds.
• 6:43
  SPEAKER_00: So the summary or the first paragraph is critical.
• 6:47
  SPEAKER_00: Put the key points you want to get across right at the top.
• 6:51
  SPEAKER_00: Make sure your job titles and the company names are really clear on the first page.
• 6:56
  SPEAKER_00: If you grab the reader's interest and all the additional information comes into play.
• 7:01
  SPEAKER_00: Keep it clear and concise because you have to get as much information to the reader as quickly and as easily as possible.
• 7:09
  SPEAKER_00: Make sure there is very little jargon on your CV, even if you have a technical role.
• 7:15
  SPEAKER_00: You might understand it, but the person reading your CV, the recruiter for instance, or the HR hiring manager, probably won't have the same knowledge as you do and won't understand that jargon.
• 7:26
  SPEAKER_00: You don't have to say everything on your CV.
• 7:29
  SPEAKER_00: The interview is the opportunity to expand on what your CV states.
• 7:33
  SPEAKER_00: Keep your CV focused on the most important information that makes you look good.
• 7:39
  SPEAKER_00: Ask a friend who does not have your background to read through your CV.
• 7:44
  SPEAKER_00: If they don't understand or don't follow what you have written, change it so they do.
• 7:49
  SPEAKER_00: Keep changing and improving your CV until you are getting the interview invitations in the numbers that you need.
• 7:58
  SPEAKER_00: Step 5.
• 8:00
  SPEAKER_00: Do your research on the job, the company and the industry.
• 8:05
  SPEAKER_00: As a hiring manager, I want to know that you are interested in joining my team and my company.
• 8:11
  SPEAKER_00: If you don't know much about us, why should I want to know about you?
• 8:15
  SPEAKER_00: If you are not keen on us, why should I be keen on you?
• 8:20
  SPEAKER_00: Doing research on the job and the company helps you make up your mind whether you want to join the company and do the job on offer.
• 8:29
  SPEAKER_00: And your enthusiasm comes across during the interview in your tone of voice, in the excitement you have, and in your body language.
• 8:38
  SPEAKER_00: What better way to impact how you succeed in an interview than being really keen on the job?
• 8:45
  SPEAKER_00: Enthusiasm, excitement, and keenness for the job and the company count.
• 8:50
  SPEAKER_00: It is very hard to fake and has as much impact, I think, as your skills and experience.
• 8:56
  SPEAKER_00: It certainly makes you stand out.
• 8:59
  SPEAKER_00: And research also gives you lots of opportunities to demonstrate to the hiring manager you have put the effort in to find out about the company.
• 9:09
  SPEAKER_00: It can also be a good use of your research to personalise your CV for the job and the company you're applying to, i.e., tailor the CV to that particular job.
• 9:20
  SPEAKER_00: Step 6.
• 9:23
  SPEAKER_00: Practice answering typical interview questions.
• 9:27
  SPEAKER_00: There are hundreds of interview questions that you could be faced with.
• 9:30
  SPEAKER_00: You'll not be able to learn them all, nor have a prepared response for each.
• 9:35
  SPEAKER_00: This is where you apply the 80-20 rule.
• 9:38
  SPEAKER_00: Do your research and prepare answers for the most likely interview questions.
• 9:43
  SPEAKER_00: And even if you get a separate question that comes up, you'll have the confidence of all that work that you put in.
• 9:50
  SPEAKER_00: We recommend sitting in front of a mirror or with a friend and speaking out loud your answers.
• 9:56
  SPEAKER_00: Keep doing this until you're happy with your answers and comfortable telling each mini story.
• 10:02
  SPEAKER_00: Make sure the stories you tell are your stories, not examples, answers found in books or by Googling on the internet.
• 10:10
  SPEAKER_00: Of course, use example answers for their structures and then put them into your words and the experiences into these structures.
• 10:18
  SPEAKER_00: Be true to yourself.
• 10:21
  SPEAKER_00: It may seem silly or embarrassing to be speaking out loud, but the reasons you should include you can then check how your answer sounds.
• 10:36
  SPEAKER_00: Would you be engaged by hearing it?
• 10:39
  SPEAKER_00: Because you don't want the interviewer losing the thread of your story.
• 10:44
  SPEAKER_00: Make sure you are answering the question asked.
• 10:48
  SPEAKER_00: Always think, what is the question?
• 10:50
  SPEAKER_00: Do I understand it?
• 10:52
  SPEAKER_00: And if you are unsure of what the question is, ask for clarification.
• 10:58
  SPEAKER_00: What is your tone of voice like?
• 11:00
  SPEAKER_00: Is it confident or unsure?
• 11:03
  SPEAKER_00: If you don't believe what you are saying, why should the interviewer?
• 11:07
  SPEAKER_00: So be confident.
• 11:10
  SPEAKER_00: And if you are okay with talking to a mirror or to a friend, then answering questions during the interview will be that much easier.
• 11:18
  SPEAKER_00: Repeatedly answering interview questions out loud builds your confidence.
• 11:23
  SPEAKER_00: It's really not that different from an actor learning their lines.
• 11:27
  SPEAKER_00: And the more you practice, the more relaxed, confident, and natural you will be on the day.
• 11:33
  SPEAKER_00: This is a great way to prepare for those tough interview questions.
• 11:39
  SPEAKER_00: Step seven, really focus on the day of the interview.
• 11:43
  SPEAKER_00: Well, first of all, picture how the interview will be dressed.
• 11:47
  SPEAKER_00: Look on the websites, what's the dress code like of all the people pictured?
• 11:51
  SPEAKER_00: You should aim to wear the equivalent, to be dressed at least as smart as the interviewer will be.
• 11:57
  SPEAKER_00: If in doubt, aim for smarter and more formal rather than less so.
• 12:02
  SPEAKER_00: Make sure you arrive early.
• 12:04
  SPEAKER_00: You don't want to be rushing because of transport delays and turn up all flustered.
• 12:09
  SPEAKER_00: And you need time to mentally prepare, so get there early.
• 12:14
  SPEAKER_00: Go over the answers to likely interview questions in your mind.
• 12:17
  SPEAKER_00: And take a walk while doing this because it's a good way to calm the nerves.
• 12:22
  SPEAKER_00: Use any waiting time in reception to observe the people coming and going.
• 12:27
  SPEAKER_00: Chat to the receptionist about what it's like working there and read the brochures.
• 12:31
  SPEAKER_00: Don't look at your phone.
• 12:33
  SPEAKER_00: You need to show that you are interested in the company to all who might see you, and you want to learn more about the company as well.
• 12:41
  SPEAKER_00: When you enter the interview itself, smile, smile at the interviewer, and spend some time in small talk to put yourself and the interviewer at ease.
• 12:52
  SPEAKER_00: When the questions start, listen really carefully to what is being asked.
• 12:57
  SPEAKER_00: It is really important that you understand what is being asked before answering.
• 13:01
  SPEAKER_00: Answering a different question will cast doubts on your listening skills.
• 13:07
  SPEAKER_00: Make sure that you have a number of questions to ask the hiring manager at the end of the interview that demonstrates that you've done your research and you are keen on the company.
• 13:17
  SPEAKER_00: And finally, enjoy the interview.
• 13:20
  SPEAKER_00: Being there, after all, means that you're closer to getting the job that you want.
• 13:26
  SPEAKER_00: Good luck.
• 13:28
  SPEAKER_00: We hope you've enjoyed our podcast on how to succeed in an interview.
• 13:33
  SPEAKER_00: To learn more about passing interviews and getting the job that you want, visit enhance.training and check out our interview learning hub to get more free articles, podcasts, and videos on getting a job and the whole interview process.
• 13:48
  SPEAKER_00: And take a look at our How to Ace an Interview course, specifically designed for those going for management roles.
• 13:56
  SPEAKER_00: The course will help you step change your interview performance, reduce your nerves, stress, and anxiety before the interview, and give you a structured process to prepare for and pass the interviews to get the job that you want.
• 14:11
  SPEAKER_00: So thanks for listening to this enhanced.training podcast, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.