Your application has made it through, and you’ve reached the interview stage for your dream job at Western Power. The next hurdle is selling yourself face to face. You need to convince the interviewers that you’re the right person for the job.
It can be nerve-racking heading into an interview – especially if you feel outnumbered with a panel of people staring down at you. But rest assured, there are several things you can do make yourself feel comfortable and ready in the lead up.
Here are some helpful tips straight from the team at Western Power.
It may seem obvious enough, but preparation is key. Research Western Power and prepare responses for possible questions you might get asked, so you feel more confident on the day. You can always tell which candidates have done their homework!
Find out who your interviewers will be and connect with them on LinkedIn. You might find something interesting about them, or something you have in common that can spur a conversation. Remember, the interview is also about showcasing your personality.
Whether you’re meeting in person or online via a video call, it’s important that you’re on time. Give yourself enough of a buffer in case you run into traffic, can’t find a parking spot, get lost or find yourself in a technical glitz because you can’t connect your software.
If you’re running late for whatever reason, make sure you let the interviewer know.
Ever heard the phrase – you should always dress for the job you want, not the job you have? Make the effort to look professional – even if your interview is online. It shows that you take pride in yourself. Use your discretion and common sense, for example if you’re interviewing for a role on a building site there’s no need to dress in a tuxedo!
Be clear and concise with your responses. If you’re unsure about a question, don’t be afraid to ask for clarification and take time to formulate your response. A good idea is to use the STAR technique, which helps you address the question by outlining the Situation, Task, Action and Result. This method is great when responding to behavioural questions like ‘Give me an example of…’ or ‘Tell me about a time when…’.
We love it when candidates ask us questions. Interviews are a two-way street, so fire away if you want to make sure we’re a good fit for you. By asking questions about the things you value, you’re also being proactive and showing us how invested you are to know more.
And once it’s all over, don’t be afraid to ask for feedback. Whether you’re successful or not, you’ll know what you need to work on when the next interview comes around.