By Ofuns Okwechime
Embarking on a job interview, especially as a young adult, can be both exhilarating and nerve-wracking. It’s a pivotal moment where your unique blend of independent living skills, experiences, and personal attributes takes centre stage.
Adding a personal touch and infusing your individuality into the process can set you apart in a competitive job market.
Before The Interview
Research the Company:
Before your interview, thoroughly research the company. Understand its mission, values, products/services, and recent achievements. Familiarise yourself with the company culture and any recent news or developments.
This knowledge will help you tailor your responses during the interview to align with the company’s goals and values. It shows genuine interest and aligns your aspirations with the company’s vision. Mention specific details in the interview that reflect your understanding of the organisation.
Prepare for Behavioral Interview Questions:
Behavioural questions assess how you’ve handled situations in the past. Identify common behavioural questions and think of specific examples from your experiences demonstrating your skills, problem-solving abilities, and teamwork. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
Prepare for Different Types of Interviews:
Be ready for various interview formats, such as phone interviews, virtual/video interviews, and in-person interviews. Familiarise yourself with the technology and platforms that may be used.
Practice maintaining eye contact and clear communication for video interviews, and ensure your environment is conducive to a professional conversation.
Always Practice:
Practice makes perfect. Rehearse your responses to common questions with a friend or in front of a mirror. This will help you refine your answers, boost your confidence, and identify any areas for improvement.
Prepare Answers to Common Interview Questions:
Anticipate standard interview questions such as “Tell me about yourself,” “Why should we hire you?” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?” Having well-thought-out responses ready will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and concisely.
Prepare Questions to Ask the Interviewer:
Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. This demonstrates your interest in the position and the company. Inquire about the company culture, team dynamics, or the future of the organisation. Avoid questions that can be easily answered through basic research.
Behave Professionally:
Present yourself professionally from the moment you submit your application. This includes your resume, cover letter, and any communication leading up to the interview.
Dress appropriately for the company culture, maintain good posture, and exhibit positive body language during the interview.
Get Insider Information:
If possible, try to connect with current or former employees of the company through professional networks like LinkedIn. This can provide valuable insights into the company’s culture, expectations, and interview process.
Plan to Arrive Early:
If the interview is in person, plan to arrive at least 15 minutes early. This demonstrates punctuality and eagerness. For virtual interviews, log in a few minutes beforehand to ensure your technology is working correctly.
During The Interview
Be Prepared to Summarise Your Experience:
Craft a concise and compelling summary of your professional experience. This 30-second pitch, often referred to as an elevator pitch, should highlight your key achievements, skills, and what you bring to the position. Practice delivering it confidently to make a strong first impression.
Make Use of Your Other Skills and Experience:
Highlight how your diverse skills and experiences can bring a unique perspective to the role. Draw connections between your previous experiences and the requirements of the job. This showcases your adaptability and the value you can add beyond the specific qualifications listed.
Show Your Creativity:
Find opportunities to inject creativity into your interview responses. Whether it’s proposing innovative solutions to hypothetical problems or sharing creative approaches you’ve taken in past roles, this demonstrates your ability to think outside the box, a quality many employers value.
Show Some Grit and Resilience:
Share stories of challenges you’ve faced in the past and how you overcame them. Discussing moments where you demonstrated resilience and perseverance not only showcases your ability to handle adversity but also provides a glimpse into your character and determination.
Demonstrate a Growth Mindset:
Emphasise your commitment to continuous learning and improvement. Discuss instances where you’ve actively sought out growth opportunities, whether through additional training, taking on challenging projects, or seeking feedback. This reflects a mindset of constant development and adaptability.
Listen Carefully to Each Question Asked:
Demonstrate active listening skills by fully engaging with each question. Take a moment to process the question before responding, ensuring your answers are thoughtful and relevant. This not only your communication skills but also your ability to comprehend and respond effectively.
Remain Positive and Avoid Negative Comments:
Keep the tone of the interview positive. When discussing past experiences, focus on the lessons learned and the positive aspects of your previous roles.
Avoid criticising former employers or colleagues. This not only reflects professionalism but also showcases your ability to handle workplace challenges with a constructive mindset.
Be Aware of Your Body Language and Tone of Voice:
Pay attention to non-verbal cues. Maintain good eye contact to convey confidence and sincerity. Ensure your body language aligns with your message. Additionally, be mindful of your tone of voice, aiming for a friendly and positive demeanour. This helps create a favourable impression and reinforces your interpersonal skills.
Possible Interview Questions
Tell me about yourself.
Response: Begin with your professional background, highlighting relevant experiences and skills. Keep it concise, focusing on what makes you a strong fit for the position.
“I have a diverse background in [your industry/field], with a strong foundation in [key skills]. In my previous role at [previous company], I successfully [mention an accomplishment or responsibility]. I’m excited about the opportunity here at [current company] because of [specific aspects that align with the company].”
What are your strengths?
Response: Highlight a few key strengths directly related to the job. Provide examples of how these strengths have contributed to your success in previous roles.
“One of my key strengths is my ability to [specific skill relevant to the job], as demonstrated in my previous role where I [give an example]. Additionally, my strong [another relevant skill] has consistently contributed to [mention a positive outcome].”
What are your weaknesses?
Response: Discuss a weakness that you’ve actively worked to improve. Show self-awareness, with emphasis on the steps you’ve taken to address this weakness.
“One area I’ve actively worked on is [mention a weakness]. To overcome this, I [describe steps taken to improve]. This continuous improvement mindset reflects my commitment to personal and professional growth.”
Why do you want to work for this company?
Response: Demonstrate your knowledge of the company and align it with your career goals. Mention specific aspects like company culture, values, or recent achievements that resonate with you.
“I’ve been impressed by [specific things about the company, such as its innovative approach, commitment to [a certain value], or recent achievements]. This resonates with my career goals, and I am eager to contribute my skills to a company that values [mention something specific].”
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Response: Share your career goals, expressing a desire for growth within the company. Describe your commitment to continuous learning and contribution.
“In five years, I envision myself in a more [advanced role or leadership position] where I can contribute my experience and skills to [mention a specific goal or project]. I’m excited about the potential for growth and development in this company.”
Can you describe a challenging situation at work and how you handled it?
Response: Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to narrate a specific challenge and how you effectively addressed it, showcasing problem-solving skills.
“In a past role, I encountered a challenge where [describe the situation]. To address this, I [explain the specific actions taken] which resulted in [mention a positive outcome]. This experience highlighted my problem-solving skills and ability to stay calm under pressure.”
Why should we hire you?
Response: Focus on your unique skills and experiences that make you a perfect fit for the role. Connect your strengths with the needs of the company.
“You should hire me because of my unique combination of [mention key skills] and my proven track record in [mention relevant experience]. I am confident that my abilities align perfectly with the needs of this position, and I am eager to contribute to the success of [company].”
Tell me about a successful project you’ve worked on.
Response: Highlight a specific project, outlining your role, the challenges faced, and the positive outcomes. Quantify your achievements if possible.
“One project that stands out is when I [describe the project], taking on the role of [your specific contribution]. This resulted in [quantifying the achievement, such as increased efficiency or positive feedback], showcasing my ability to drive successful projects.”
How do you handle stress and pressure?
Response: Discuss your coping mechanisms and examples of how you’ve managed stress in the past, ensuring productivity and performance were not compromised.
“When faced with stress and pressure, I find that [mention a coping mechanism, such as prioritisation or effective time management]. An example of this was when [describe a situation], and my ability to stay focused ensured [mention a positive outcome].”
What is your preferred working style?
Response: Tailor your answer to the job requirements. Highlight your ability to work independently or collaboratively, depending on what the role demands.
“My preferred working style is [describe your working style, such as collaborative or independent], depending on the nature of the task. I believe in [mention a key principle, such as effective communication or adaptability], which aligns with the values of this company.”
Describe a time when you disagreed with a team member and how you resolved it.
Response: Emphasise your communication and conflict resolution skills. Focus on the positive outcome and what you learned from the experience.
“Disagreements are inevitable, but I believe in constructive resolution. Once, when I disagreed with a team member about [describe the situation], I initiated a conversation to understand their perspective. We compromised by [explain the resolution], maintaining a positive working relationship and achieving our shared goals.”
What do you know about our products/services?
Response: Demonstrate your research by mentioning key products or services. Discuss how your skills align with contributing to the success of these offerings.
“I’ve extensively researched your products/services and am impressed by [specific features or aspects]. For example, [mention a specific product or service] showcases [something notable]. I’m excited about contributing my skills to enhance these offerings, especially in the context of [mention relevant industry trends].”
How do you stay updated with industry trends?
Response: Discuss your commitment to ongoing learning. Mention books, courses, conferences, or industry blogs you follow to stay informed.
“To stay updated with industry trends, I regularly [mention sources, such as industry publications, online courses, or attending conferences]. For instance, I recently completed a training course on [relevant topic] to align my skills with the latest industry standards
Tell me about a time you demonstrated leadership.
Response: Share a specific example where you took the lead, highlighting your ability to inspire and guide a team toward a common goal.
“In my previous role, I lead on [mention a specific project or initiative]. I demonstrated leadership by [describe your actions, such as delegating tasks, providing guidance, or motivating the team]. This resulted in [mention positive outcomes], showcasing my ability to lead and inspire others.”
How do you handle constructive criticism?
Response: Show that you value feedback and use it as an opportunity for growth. Share a specific instance where you applied constructive criticism to improve.
“Constructive criticism is essential for growth. When I receive feedback, I take a moment to understand the points raised. An example of this was when [describe a situation], and I used the feedback to [explain how you applied the feedback to improve]. This experience reinforced my commitment to continuous improvement.”
How do you prioritise tasks and manage your time?
Response: Discuss your organisational skills and any tools or methods you use to prioritise tasks for time management. Highlight your ability to meet deadlines effectively.
Effective time management is crucial.
“I prioritise tasks by [describe your method, such as using a to-do list or leveraging project management tools]. An example of this was when [describe a situation], and my ability to prioritise ensured [mention a positive outcome, such as meeting deadlines].”
Describe a time when you faced a tight deadline.
Response: Detail the situation, the actions you took to meet the deadline, and the successful outcome. Emphasise your ability to perform under pressure.
“During a tight deadline for [describe the project or task], I [explain specific actions taken, such as working extra hours or collaborating closely with the team]. Despite the pressure, we successfully [mention the positive outcome], demonstrating my ability to perform effectively under tight deadlines.”
What salary range are you looking for?
Response: Research industry standards and provide a range based on your skills and experience. Express your flexibility and openness to negotiation.
“I’ve researched industry standards, and based on my skills and experience, I am looking for a salary reflective of my skills and experience. However, I am open to negotiation and value the overall compensation package, including [mention any specific benefits].”
Do you have any questions for us?
Response: Always have questions prepared. Ask about the company culture, team dynamics, or the next steps in the hiring process. This demonstrates your genuine interest in the position.
“Certainly! I’m curious about [ask about specific aspects of the company, team dynamics, or the role]. Additionally, can you provide more insight into [ask about any information you’re genuinely interested in, such as company culture or future projects]?”
Remember, these are just examples, and it’s crucial to tailor your responses based on your unique experiences and the specific requirements of the job you’re applying for. Practice your answers beforehand to ensure you feel confident and authentic during the interview.
What to do after an interview
Send a Thank-You Email:
Express your gratitude to the interviewers for the opportunity. Send a personalised thank-you email within 24 hours of the interview. Reiterate your interest in the position, mention specific points discussed during the interview, and convey your enthusiasm for the role.
Reflect on the Interview:
Take some time to reflect on how the interview went. Consider the questions asked, your responses, and any areas where you could improve. This reflection can be valuable for future interviews and helps you identify aspects of the interview that went well.
Follow Up on Additional Information:
If during the interview you promised to provide additional information or samples of your work, make sure to follow up promptly. This demonstrates your professionalism and commitment to the application process.
Continue Job Search:
While waiting for a response from the interview, continue your job search. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Keep exploring other opportunities and networking with professionals in your industry.
Monitor Your Email and Phone:
Keep a close eye on your email and phone for any communications from the company. Respond promptly to any follow-up questions or requests for additional information. Missing an email or call may delay the hiring process.
Follow Up If Necessary:
If a reasonable amount of time has passed without any communication, it’s acceptable to follow up with the hiring manager or recruiter. Politely reiterate your interest in the position and inquire about the status of the hiring process.
Handle Multiple Offers:
If you receive multiple job offers, carefully evaluate them based on job responsibilities, company culture, and career growth opportunities. Make informed decisions and, if necessary, ask for additional time to consider offers.
Negotiate Salary and Terms:
Once you receive a job offer, carefully review the terms and conditions. If there is room for negotiation, discuss salary, benefits, or other terms. Approach these discussions professionally and be clear about your expectations.
Prepare for Background Checks and References:
Many companies conduct background checks and contact references before finalising an offer. Ensure that your references are aware they might be contacted and that the information on your resume aligns with what they say.
Accept or Decline the Offer:
Once you’ve gathered all the necessary information and negotiated terms, decide on whether to accept or decline the job offer. Communicate your decision promptly and professionally.
Remember that the post-interview phase is a crucial part of the job search process. How you handle this period reflects your professionalism and commitment to the potential employer, contributing to a positive impression that can impact your future career opportunities.
In Conclusion
Believe in yourself, celebrate your accomplishments, learn from your challenges, and let your genuine passion for your field shine through. Interviews are not just about getting a job; they are about finding the right fit for you and the company.
So, go out there, be yourself, and let your potential unfold. The world is ready to witness your journey, and the right opportunity is waiting for someone exactly like you. Best of luck on your interview adventure!