7 Easy Steps for Job Interview Success

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You can plan a trip or a workday down to the last detail but the unexpected will always happen. If you are not flexible, you will be left behind (with apologies to John Wooden).

When preparing for a job interview the same principle applies. Be prepared and flexible.

Use these 7 easy steps whether you are a person, who waffles before getting to the point, limits answers to the bare minimum, goes blank at interviews or leaves it to the last minute to prepare and hopes for the best, this approach will help you succeed at interviews.

If you use the following 7 easy steps you will find preparing for an interview is simple.

Start by understanding the employer perspective. it may surprise you to know that the interview is not about you. It is about the employer. So, stop thinking about what you want and start thinking about what the employer expects.
Before breaking down the job requirements into their components assess the role as a whole - the scope of the position and how it contributes to the organisation's needs.
Now breakdown the role into its key components, these should include skills, experience, personal attributes and qualifications and match yourself to these requirements. Include both stated and implied requirements.
Learn to recognise different styles of questions, the most common are direct (open) behavioural (closed), scenario (a story or role play) and develop a structured response for each style of question.
Select your examples based on topics and skills you will need to demonstrate at interview. Write the examples in point form to make it easier for you to tailor your responses to the actual question asked at interview.
Answer the questions in clear plain English. Using jargon or generic terms can lead to misunderstandings between what you say and what the interviewer understands. When you use generic terms or jargon make sure you define their meaning.
Be prepared for unexpected questions. Often it may be the first question asked. Being mentally prepared you are less likely to go blank or panic.

For more information, ask a question, make a comment or book an appointment, please email deborah@impressiveinterviews.com.au

About Deborah Barit

Deborah Barit is a Sydney based author, trainer, consultant and Director of Impressive Interviews who specialises in training individuals and groups for job interviews. She has successfully placed clients from professions as diverse as health, law, IT, senior management and the arts in positions of their choice. For the last 15 years she has specialised in training doctors for medical specialty selection interviews and more recently consultants for senior roles.

Prior to this, her career has included selection and recruitment both in Australia and overseas, labour market research, evaluation of government-funded programs and working with disability employment services. She holds a Bachelor of Economics Degree from the University of Sydney and a Graduate Diploma in Personnel Management and Industrial Relations form UTS.

Deborah is a member of the Australian Institute of Training and Development,