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Most people will experience some level of nervousness going into a job interview – it’s completely normal! This is your chance to secure your job so it’s no wonder people feel the pressure. But the good news is, there are certain things you can do and practice so that you are prepared and know how to ace any job interview.

Here are 9 helpful tips on how to ace your next job interview.

1. Be Prepared

Make sure you do your research. Find out about the company you are applying for.

How many years have they been operating?
What is the business mission
What services do they offer

The more you know, the more you will seem invested and interested in the company. See how the business’s principles align with yours.

2. Re-read the job advertisement

Make sure you re-read the job advertisement. Make sure you are aware of what the role is asking for and how you fit the role.

3. Make sure you understand the STAR method

The STAR method is a way of responding to a behavioural based interview question by describing a previous work experience: Situation, Task, Action, and Result.

Situation: What was the situation?

Task: What was the task you were doing and the goal?

Action: What action did you take?

Result: What was the result of your action?

An example of this is:

Q. Talk me through a time when you had to communicate with a large group. Tell me how did you get your message across effectively?

A. In my previous role, I would often run staff meetings. We had over 20 employees, so I had to talk to quite a large group. The best way to deliver my message was through standing in from of the group and presenting my topic through a slideshow presentation. It worked great as it wasn’t just someone up the front talking, the presentation was engaging and kept staff interested.

4. Practice answering interview and STAR questions

Once you’re familiar with the STAR method, make sure you read over the questions and pick some questions to answer. Write down your response. Read over your response and see if you can elaborate on your answer or add to your answer. Take your time.

This will help you when you are asked the questions in the interview because you are more prepared and don’t have silence while you are thinking up an answer. Your answers will be fresh in your mind, and you will be able to say something similar to what you had previously prepared.

5. Wear appropriate clothing to your interview

Make sure you pick out your outfit the day before. You do not want to be last minute trying outfits on and then run late for your interview. We have a more detailed blog on what to wear to a job interview.

6. Be on time

There is no excuse for being late. Be prepared. Drive to the interview location before the interview so you can see how long it takes you to get there and so you know where the business is. There is nothing worse than getting lost on the day of an interview, running in late, and flustered. Also, look at the parking options. Check whether it is easy to park or if finding parking may take time. Allocate extra time on the day for this.

7. Leave your phone in the car.

Phones are distractions. Even if your phone is on silent, the vibrations in your bag or the flashing screen can be a distraction. You want to prove to the interviewer that they are your whole focus. Getting this job is important to you, and they have your undivided attention. Taking your phone into the interview and placing it on the table shows that your phone is most important and is often seen as rude.

8. Ask your own questions to the interviewer.

How long have you been with the company?

What do you love most about working here?

When will I hear back from you after this interview?

If I don’t hear back from you by _____, do you mind if I call you?

9. Follow up after the interview.

Remember to follow up after the interview. You should follow up a week after if you haven’t heard anything. This will show that you are keen on the role.

Bonus Tip:

Take a notebook

Have notes on background information on the company. It is perfect for you to read over while you are waiting to be called in for the interview.
Write dot points of how you fit with the selection criteria.
Have the questions you want to ask prepared in your notebook.
Take notes in the interview, this will show you are interested and invested in the opportunity.
Do not write everything down, you want to still be engaging and have eye contact with the interviewer.