Today for many roles, technical competency is considered a given, and differentiation based on this alone is more and more difficult to achieve. To have landed an interview is in itself a win. It indicates that the company is willing to invest it’s most limited of resources – time, in getting to know you and establishing if there is a great match. It is an opportunity that you will want to leverage. It an opportunity to win the role.
Lisa Elias and Ola Dabbagh-Roberts recently held a lunch time learning event for our valued candidates to help them leverage the valuable opportunity an interview provides. It focused on some key areas:
Building on your personal brand
Candidates need to think about what they want to project within the interview. What they want to reinforce, what messages and feelings they want to leave the interviewer with. Personal Brand is built up over time and is a combination of your online presence, your CV, the interactions you have and the interview.
Mindset - How our thinking influences our performance at an interview
Our mindset and thinking are key to being able to confidently leverage the opportunity in an interview. It influences our language, our confidence, about what makes us a valuable prospect. If we arrive with a fixed mindset, we are likely to demonstrate a lack of positive energy about how we can add value.
It is natural to bring a level of nervous energy into an interview because it is a situation that can potentially illicit a stress response in our brains. As a result we can forget what we intended to say, or at worst, draw a blank. Be human - own it, ask for time to consider your response.
Some questions may also feel uncomfortable. Stay calm and focused and respond confidently and with a growth mindset. This tells a potential employer that you haven’t stopped learning and there is still room to grow. Ahead of the interview – take time out to do something that makes you feel good, breathing is great and works on mind and body.
Building trust
Building trust throughout the process is achieved by being authentic through the various stages. In an interview, it is about three things;
Credibility – What we say, Reliability – there is consistency between words and actions, and Intimacy – the personal connection you form.
Active Listening is essential to building trust and starts with having a clear intention to listen. It means paying attention, and demonstrating your understanding of the information through acknowledging and paraphrasing. Keep questions relevant and appropriate.
Effective Preparation
To really maximise the opportunity of your interview, show the interviewer that you have really prepared. Do your research on the company, the industry, the role and go the extra mile.
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Ensure you have put though into specific examples that you are proud of and clear about.
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what makes you excellent ?
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why you want the role ?
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Think about what you might ask the interviewer.
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Why the role is available ?
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What the current initiatives are that you may be contributing to ?
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How would you describe the culture ?
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Delivering clear and confident responses
Aim to “Say it once and Say it well” to ensure you maintain the attention of your interviewer. Make sure responses are:
Relevant – tailored as much as possible to their needs. Why is your skill gong to help them achieve their objectives ?
Clear – You deliver responses that are very easy to understand and your messaging doesn’t create confusion or doubt.
Brief – Include one strong example and good evidence of your achievement or capability and then stop.
Demonstrate confidence and engagement through your positive body language, your eye contact, handshake, posture, personal presentation. If you arrive nervous, take a minute as you wait to breathe and be present.
As the interview ends thank the interviewer for their time and the opportunity. Ask for feedback and leave confident that you have done your best.
We plan to schedule several of these sessions during 2019. For any enquiries please contact moirevents@moirgroup.com.au and ask to be invited to the next first 90 Days event
As always, if we can assist with any accounting/finance recruitment needs in your business on either a temporary or a permanent basis we would be delighted to do so. We cover all roles from junior entry roles up to Group CFO.
Written by Ola Dabbagh-Roberts, Learning and Development Manager, Moir Group
P: 02 9262 4836
