Interview Tips

Get to know the four most common types of interviews, as well as how to ace them!

Smart questions to ask your interviewer(s)

One-on-one interviews

Otherwise known as personal or face-to-face interviews, this involves your interviewer asking a series of questions to evaluate your suitability for the job. Although present circumstances mean that one-on-one interview sessions usually take place virtually, it is still common.

Some companies prefer using several rounds of one-on-one interviews for different department heads to meet with the potential candidate before deciding on his or her fate with the company.

Interview tips

• Show your interviewer that you are interested in the job by asking relevant questions. Some simple ones include asking about the role’s day-to-day tasks, the work culture, or the role’s career path • You should also talk about how the job role matches your aspirations, career plans and relevant interests. Enthusiasm is key • Demonstrate specific examples of the skills required for the role you are applying for and discuss relevant transferable skills you obtained from any school or work experience • Also note that body language is just as important as verbal communication. Maintain a decent level of eye contact throughout the interview, sit upright to exude confidence and remember to smile!

Video interviews

The most common interview type in the new normal, video interviews are conducted by almost all employers. However, due to the potential technical pitfalls and how different they may be depending on the platform used by each employer, they tend to intimidate graduate job seekers.

Video interviews may take place “live” (e.g. through Zoom) or pre-recorded (e.g. video submissions).

Interview tips

• Practice makes perfect. Start by getting used to appearing on-screen. Switch on your computer’s webcam and record yourself as though you are running through a practice interview • If you are recording a pre-recorded interview, ensure you do not come across as too rehearsed. Instead, try to “interact” with the recruiter who will be watching your video • Set the scene by dressing smartly and making sure the area where you will be carrying out the interview looks like a professional workplace • If you are using a Wi-Fi connection, make sure you have good signal strength so that the video conference does not drop midway through your interview. A good way to check this is to stream a video over YouTube • Whether you are talking to your interviewer live or prerecorded, look at the camera to make it seem as if you are making eye contact • Lastly, if you are taking the call on a laptop, remember to plug it in to a power source – you may be online longer than you think

Panel interviews

Panel interviews typically involve anywhere from three to eight interviewers – usually three for graduate interviews. They will likely consist of a mix of HR personnel, business managers and some departmental specialists.

Do not be lulled into a false sense of security if these interviews are held over video! They tend to be more rigorous and meticulous than individual interviews as you will be juggling questions from multiple sources. Although this may sound intimidating, there is no need to fret. The interviewers are out to find out the same thing as at any other interview: Whether you are a good fit for the company!

Interview tips

• Maintain direct eye contact with the interviewers. If your interview is taking place in-person, answer them while making eye contact. If it is over video, talk to the camera instead of the video feed on-screen • Address the interviewers by name when speaking to them. If your interview is taking place face-to-face, one little trick is to get their name cards at the beginning of the session, and then arrange them in front of you according to the interviewers’ sitting arrangement • Stay calm if one of the interviewers looks bored. Given their different backgrounds, not every member on the panel may be interested in your response to a question asked • You will sometimes be asked the same question twice by mistake. Do not second-guess yourself, and always keep to the same version of your story

Phone interviews

A phone interview is often used as a screening exercise where employers check some basic information prior to a face-to-face or virtual interview. It is also used to sieve through suitable candidates early in the recruitment process.

The relative anonymity of a phone interview may allow you to speak to your interviewer without the stress of travelling to an unfamiliar place in professional attire, but avoid letting your guard down!

Interview tips

• Much of the impact you make will come through your voice, so sounding attentive and enthusiastic is important • Take notes of the keywords of the questions asked for reference when responding to your interviewer • Do not be distracted by your surroundings or lose track of what you want to say next. Avoid filler words such as “umm” and “uh-huh” or constant requests to repeat the questions • Have your resume and completed application form next to you in case you need to refer to them during the phone interview • Choose a conducive, quiet environment for the phone appointment to prevent background noise from ruining your session

Some tricky (and timely!) interview questions

• How do you think our business has been affected by the novel coronavirus pandemic this year? • Which of your achievements or experiences best demonstrate your key strengths? • What has this pandemic and its aftereffects taught you about yourself? • What steps have you been taking to stay informed and relevant amidst all the uncertainty this year? • How do you see your career developing over the next few years in a post-coronavirus world?

Smart questions to ask your interviewer(s)

Sensible questions such as:

• You mentioned that the job involves a particular task. Could you tell me a bit more about what this entails? • What sort of training can I expect to receive? • How do new starters who join the organisation in this position generally progress? What would be a typical timescale?

Thoughtful questions such as:

• I read in the papers recently that your organisation has just signed an agreement to work with a particular client. Is this something that I would be likely to get involved with if I do get this position? • Will the trends in a post-coronavirus world affect the way you work in this market? What are some of the things you are doing to ride the wave/wait it out? • Your competitors seem to be doing Y. Is it important for your company to be doing Z? How does this set you apart from them?

How to appear confident in interviews

Breathe

Before the interview, whether you are at the office for a faceto-face meet-up or a virtual one, take a moment to take a few deep breaths.

This exercise will calm your nerves and bring you down from your fight or flight mode (yes, it’s possible to get there when you’re nervous enough!) and help you think before you step into the interview room.

Tips:

• Breathe in deeply through your nose • (you should feel your stomach expand) • Slowly exhale through your mouth • Centre your thoughts • Repeat this process 3 to 4 times

Dress up

Pulling on a smart outfit for your interview can give you a confidence boost. Not only would your clothes make you look good, they can make you feel good, too! Add the fact that you will leave a stellar first impression on your recruiter, and the benefits really outweigh the cons of sifting through your closet.

Tips:

• Even if your interview is to take place virtually over a digital channel, dress up like you are going for an in-person interview • Conduct research on the company’s dress code. If in doubt, go for a formal look • Keep your clothes clean and wrinkle-free • Make sure your hair is not in your eyes • Keep clothing colours neutral (e.g. grey, black, beige, brown and blue) • Avoid complicated patterns and accessories

It is normal to get butterflies before interviews. But this is not an excuse to let your nerves get the best of you! Instead, focus on your end goal – landing the job. These tips will help you look confident, and even boost your confidence!