So, you’ve got the qualification(s), perhaps a few years of experience under your belt and the skills to add value to your chosen industry. On paper, you’re a real catch! Recruiters and potential employers are banging on your door frequently, but it’s at the interview stages of the process that things seem to fall apart.

Don’t despair, you are not alone…

What job seekers should recognise, (especially if you’re just getting your career off the ground and haven’t quite navigated the labyrinth that is the job market yet) is that your ability to communicate your professional story during an interview may be one of the most valuable weapons in your arsenal.

One of the most common reasons for candidates being declined at interview stages that I’ve heard over the years, is that they lacked the ability to “unpack” or “articulate” their experience in a convincing manner.

That said, here’s a couple of tips which may prove helpful in your next interview if this post is resonating with you…

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STAR METHOD

If you’re unfamiliar with STAR, it’s time to open your google interwebs machine and check out “star interview technique”.

It’s an acronym which stands for:

·      Situation – Explain your circumstances in a way that allows your interviewer to grasp the context.

·      Task – Detail your role or responsibilities within the given situation or challenge.

·      Action - Describe the steps you took to address the situation or conquer the challenge, with a particular emphasis on your individual contributions if it was a team effort.

·      Result - What were the results achieved because of your actions? If feasible, quantify your achievements or offer tangible examples of the impacts your endeavours had.

It’s an effective framework for answering questions that will usually start off with “tell me about a time when…” OR “give me an example of…” etc…

WORK CHRONOLOGICALLY

Quite often one of the first things an interviewer will ask you to do is walk them through your CV. It’s a good idea to follow your timeline and work methodically through your history, usually starting with your current or most recent position working backwards. Especially if you’re a more experienced candidate with several years of experience and a few different employers on your resume. Unless you’re bringing popcorn and a blankie, most interviewers probably won’t want to hear about your first job waiting tables 20 years’ ago.

Point being, while the story may make perfect sense to you, it can be incredibly confusing for the person interviewing you when you’re jumping around the space time continuum like Marty McFly.

MAKE THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN TOOLS AND SKILLS

I feel this one is largely aimed at IT professionals, but probably applicable across the board. It may seem like semantics or hair splitting, and I imagine there may be some controversy here, but the way I like to think of it is, a wrench isn’t a skill, it’s a tool. Your ability to use said tool to change a tyre is the “skill”.

So, the next time you’re in an interview, rather than rattling off a list of tools you’re familiar with when the interviewer asks you to tell them what your core skills are, think about what you’re able to do with them. i.e., “I am skilled at writing complex queries and manipulating data in SQL” as opposed to just “SQL”.

WHEN YOU’RE LISTENING, YOU’RE SELLING!

Sharpen up your listening skills and pay attention to the question being asked.

If you’re unsure what the interviewer is after, it’s ok to ask for clarity. It’s wise to practise active listening and be mindful of focusing on what the speaker is saying/asking rather than what your response is going to be while they’re still talking.

Once you’ve listened to and understood the question, take a second to process and answer without veering off topic.

SLOW DOWN!

Ah, an oldie but a goodie! Yes, you’ve got a lot of information that you’re eager to share with your potential employer that you’re certain will demonstrate why you’re the most amazing human for the job, but is racing through it at rocket speed really in your best interest?

Probably not if the interviewer is having a tough time keeping up with you.

Keep in mind, the panel or interviewer has already budgeted the time to meet with you and they’re also invested in filling the role. A quality over quantity approach here may be the way to go. If there’s ground that hasn’t been covered in the allotted time, additional interviews can always be scheduled but recovering from an awkward conversation that left everyone with raised eyebrows can be challenging.

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We get it, it’s a minefield out there and mastering the art of interviewing can be daunting, but with a little guidance you’ll up your interview game and land your dream gig in no time.

Reach out to us at Cox Purtell Staffing Services for top notch opportunities and of course, great advice as you navigate the complexities of the market. 

- This blog was written by our Senior Recruitment Consultant, Craig Nel. You can reach him here.