In today’s candidate-short market, applicants have a lot of options. Because of that, recruiters and hiring managers are seeing a lower level of preparation going into interviews. This is an issue for candidates as well, because if you don’t perform in the interview, those options are going to be very short-lived. In order to get the most out of each opportunity, here are the steps you can take to effectively prepare for your interviews.

Explain your CV

First and foremost, you’ve got to know your CV back to front. You should be able to talk interviewers through your CV, giving tangible examples of the work you’ve done and the skills you used in each role. This will demonstrate your credibility as a candidate and convince the hiring manager of your qualifications for the role. It’s important not to skim through your points, but give concise examples for each one.

Know the Company

You should also know why you’ve applied to that company, and what drew you to the specific role. Are there any particular motivators, such as their mission, values or ethics? You should be able to demonstrate that you know who they are, what they do, where they operate and how you’re aligned with those things. Researching these areas will make you stand out in an interview, because your answers will articulate your suitability for the position.

Understand the Role

When it comes to the role itself, it’s crucial to identify elements of the job specification that you can add value to through your existing experience. It’s also helpful to identify aspects of the role that you haven’t done, which will allow you to develop your career. That’s an understated skill, especially in interviews. Communicating your abilities clearly and confidently creates a good impression, and explaining how you intend to grow in the role is an excellent way to suggest your own future in the company to the hiring manager.

Fine-tune your Technology

Remote interviewing has become a large part of the recruitment process, and it’s important to think about how this will affect your conversation. Basic things like checking your internet connection and investing in good-quality equipment will help you to do well. Consider your environment as well – do you look professional on camera? Is your background distracting or inappropriate? Is there a lot of background noise? Thinking about these things in advance will set you up for a positive interview experience.

It’s often difficult to convey enthusiasm and emotion over a video call, but it’s an essential skill in today’s market. If an interviewer has seen two people who are identical in terms of qualifications, they would naturally choose the more enthusiastic, engaged and eager candidate for the role. Don’t neglect your on-camera communication skills.

Investigate your Interviewer

It’s always worth researching the interviewers before you meet them. Get a feel for their professional background and how long they’ve been at the business, then ask them poignant questions. Enquiring about the people they work with and the company culture is a great place to start. You can also ask them about their experience at the firm; if they’ve joined recently, “how did you find joining?”, or if they’ve been there for a long time, “what is it that’s kept you here for so long?”. Not only will this make you sound invested in the company, it’ll give you a good idea of what working there will be like.

Prepare Questions

Always prepare a couple of questions that show your interest in the company and the role itself. While this is often common knowledge, it’s best not to immediately ask questions about leave and salary. That doesn’t create the best impression. Questions about training, growth plans and promotion potential are going to give you a much higher chance of success.

For more advice on preparing for an interview, get in touch with one of our specialist Legal Risk & Compliance consultants today.