5 tips to stand out in job interviews

A successful job interview can change the path of your life, setting you up for your dream job and the start of a great career; on the other hand, a failed interview may stymie those chances. Yet with preparation and a positive attitude, you boost the chances of success and landing the job you want.

The job interview is your opportunity to showcase your skills, personality, and fitness for the job. Your prospective employer will also be evaluating whether you are a good fit for the company. Over my years of having interviewed many job candidates, I these five tips are important for acing a job interview.

Tip 1: Research the company and the job

This is one of the most important job tips. Before any job interview, take the time to research the company or organisation. This will help you understand its mission, values, and culture and enable you to tailor your answers to fit the job description and the organisation. In addition, this will help you answer questions and illustrate your fitness for the role and the organisation. Doing research will also show the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in the company and the role.

Tip 2: Be confident and assert your strengths

Confidence is key during a job interview. Be prepared to talk about your skills, experience, and accomplishments, and don’t be afraid to ask questions or clarify anything that you’re unsure about. Many females, in particular, are reluctant to talk up their skills as the tall poppy syndrome is well entrenched in Australia. However, if you’re in a job interview, you need to talk your skills up – be proud of your achievements and be ready to share success stories and explain how you can add value to the organisation.

Your body language is also very important. Speak clearly, maintain eye contact, and be enthusiastic about the new opportunity. You should also avoid negative comments about your current or previous employers; stick with positives.

Tip 3: Practice answering common interview questions.

There are many common interview questions that you can prepare for, such as “Tell me about yourself” or “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”, “What are you looking for” and “What is your asking salary?”. Practice your answers beforehand so that you feel confident and prepared during the actual interview. Keep your answers to the point and be concise. Offer only information that is relevant to the question; don’t start going off on a tangent. Less said can be more in a job interview as long as you clearly answer the question. Have your own questions ready too, as this shows you are keen for information about the organisation.

Tip 4: Convince the employer your values align

These days, all organisations are talking more about their values. So, make it a point to investigate what an organisation’s values are and their company culture and examine whether you sit comfortably with it. If you like the employer’s values, then state what you like about them in the interview. This is important, as it shows your enthusiasm to work for that organisation.

When an employee shares similar values with their employer, it can help to foster a sense of shared purpose and commitment to the organisation’s mission and goals. This can lead to a more engaged and motivated workforce, which can positively impact productivity and job satisfaction.

However, if an employee’s personal values clash with the values of their employer, it can lead to tension and conflict in the workplace. For instance, if an employee values work/life balance and like to have some choice to work from home, but their employer expects them to work long hours in the office every day, this can create stress and dissatisfaction for the employee.

Therefore, it’s essential for both the employer and employee to ensure that their values are aligned and that they share similar expectations regarding the work environment, expectations, and company culture. This can help to create a more positive and productive work environment for everyone involved. 

Tip 5: Follow up after the interview

Send a thank-you email or note to the interviewer after the interview and check if the employer has any questions or needs any more information about your suitability for the role. This will help you stand out from other candidates and illustrate your enthusiasm for working for that organisation, which may help to encourage employers to hire you.

By Kris Grant, chief executive, ASPL Group