Interview Skills 101 by Vicki Chamberlin - Part 2

Student Resources

23 Mar

Talking about your CV

What if I'm a student with no work experience?

While you might not have the work experience to do the role, you can find other ways to demonstrate the skills that they are looking for. Think of other examples from your life where you may have gained experience using transferable technical or soft skills. Examples can be academic assignments, personal projects, volunteer work, and industry events (conferences, workshops, etc). Use any extracurricular activity to show your interest in the industry.

What if I'm pursuing a career change?

Don't discredit the amount of experience you bring with you from a previous career. To prepare, reflect on the transferable skills you'll bring into your new career. The employer will be interested in your 'why', show your passion for the industry, talk about what you're learning and your future goals.

I have a gap in my CV?

Look at the time you took out and think about the transferable skills you may have gained during your experiences. Time management, problem-solving, adaptability, and interpersonal skills are all transferrable core skills.

Employers aren't expecting you to be the most experienced person for internship and graduate roles. They are looking for candidates with the right attitude, a desire to learn and a passion for the industry.

Key Tips for a Successful Interview

Communication tips

Listen to what the interview says, and respond appropriately
Don't interrupt
Take your time
Answer the actual question, and ask for it to be repeated if needed
Be concise with your answers
Pay attention to your body language
Make (the right amount) of eye contact

Remote interview tips

Remove distractions
Check your background and lighting
Test your equipment (camera, microphone, video conferencing software, etc. )
Mute your notifications and charge your laptop
Be ready early
Make eye contact with the camera
Be prepared for things to go wrong

Preparation Tips

Research the company, industry and interviewer
Re-read the job description
Review your CV
Practice your answers out loud
Prepare some questions to ask
Know where the interview is, what time it starts (aim for 5 minutes early), whom you are meeting and what you need to bring with you
Dress appropriately for the role

What should you ask in the interviews?

What does a typical day in the role look like?
What is the most important quality you are looking for in a candidate?
What does success look like in this role?
What support and training do you offer?
Can you tell me more about the culture of your organisation?
What are your plans for the team/organisation over the next few years?

Don't

Arrive late (or too early)
Not show up
Be inappropriate
Badmouth former employers
Be afraid to say "I don't know"
Overthink it!

Prepare, prepare, prepare!
Be friendly and polite
Accept a glass of water
Be present (no phones or distractions)
Be yourself
Try to have fun!

After your interview

Send a thank-you email

If you have the interviewers' contact details, you may want to send them a thank you note. Please note that SoT cannot release their details in respect of their privacy. Doing this will show your enthusiasm. It will also allow you to include information you may have forgotten during the interview or something you wanted to follow up on.

Evaluate

Think about what went well and what didn't. If you aren't successful, ask for feedback so you can improve on it for next time.

Follow up

Interviewers should give you a timeframe on when they will get back to you; if that timeframe exceeds, it's fine to politely follow up with them for an update.

Read Part 1: Interview Skills 101 by Vicki Chamberlin - Part 1

Shannon Butson