You’ve got to the interview stage, and now you need some really good tips and advice on how to have the best interview ever!
To have the best interview experience, it’s super important that you are well-prepared, have done your research, and are ready to make the best out of the opportunity. There is so much to prepare and here follows some great tips and advice for you. Getting to interview is such a great and positive part of the job application process, you really must make sure you are ready to truly demonstrate that you are the right person for the role.
You’ve already done a great job in demonstrating through your brilliant CV and covering letter that you are very worthy of consideration for the role, now it’s time to demonstrate that in person (even if the first interview is via video link). Whether you are at entry-level or in a senior leadership role, the same advice applies every time. Turning up for an interview without extensive preparation is frankly, just a waste of time (yours and the potential employers).
Interviews should be an enjoyable and informative experience on both sides and your efforts in preparation will definitely put you in a much stronger position after the interview, and you will feel 100% more confident during the meeting.
Tip 1: Do your research!
This is probably the most important tip – prior to the interview research the company in depth. Start by looking through their website and understanding the company. Pay close attention to the products or services they provide. Record everything you research and find such as the company’s revenues, annual data reports, target audience, competitors, new product releases, role in the industry, and all recent news coverage. Ensure you fully understand the requirements for the jobs you are applying to. Read the job description thoroughly and ensure you have referenced it back to your CV on all the key points. Always look through their social media presence, and understand the platforms they use the most.
Tip 2: Leverage your experience
Before the interview, refresh your memory with your own professional experiences. Every interview should be an opportunity to leverage your experience in the context of the PR, communications, digital marketing jobs, or marketing jobs you are applying for. Go through your CV and list out the projects you have spearheaded, the times your innovative idea was successful, and when you’ve needed to problem solve. Reflect on these experiences and think about how they added value to the company. An easy way to do this is by prepping a specific experience to talk about for each requirement of the position. This shows that you understand the position fully and that you have got the experience for the position.
Tip 3: Measure your success
Turn all your past experiences and successes into a brand and add value to yourself. Stories are great, but numbers stand out more, particularly for digital marketing jobs. Back up your success and experience with data and metrics. For example, tell the interviewer how much profit or sales you’ve generated in your current role, explain how many advertisement clicks were generated from your ad campaigns, and how many followers you gained on the social channels you managed. From this, you are proving the value you will bring to the company and that you understand that activity needs to lead to results.
Tip 4: Use the STAR method
To help with tip three, use the star method to ensure you convey your answers in a structured way. The STAR method stands for Situation, Task, Action, Result (this is where you can quantify your success). Here is some information and examples of STAR. This method can help you prepare some answers that highlight your particular skills and qualities in a structured way and always come across as meticulous and organised.
Tip 5: Prove your worth
Along with leveraging your experience and quantifying your success, prove to the interviewer that you will be an asset to their company. A great way to do this is by explaining to employers how you see yourself helping the company in the first three months, and offering them a proposal based on your employment. Highlight how you will be an asset in their upcoming projects, your ideas for improvement or growth, and how you see yourself fitting into this marketing job and their team.
Tip 6: Be creative
When you are interviewing for a marketing position, show your creative side. If you’re a copywriter, bring some writing samples or special ads with you. If you are managing an account, show how you’ve sold to clients. Instead of saying what you can do for their brand, prove it with examples. Along with this, have a list of references printed out and ready to show the employer.
Tip 7: Prepare your questions
Remember an interview is a dialogue, not a monologue. You can size up the company as well as the other way round. Prior to the interview, during your research, make a list of thoughtful questions that highlight your understanding of the company. Your questions should also showcase your interest in the role and demonstrate your relevant expertise. Asking questions about their market and growth plans demonstrates your interest in the company and shows you have researched them. Make sure you have at least five questions, so you are always ready. Take your notebook, that’s fine too!
Tip 8: Look the part
When you show up to the interview, dress as though you’re ready for the job. If the company is a little more fashion-forward, show that in your outfit during your interview. Similarly, if you are interviewing at a professional business, dress professionally. No matter if your interview is via Zoom or in-person, dress for the position. Along with wearing a professional outfit, ensure your background is prepped for virtual interviews. That means a plain background, a quiet area, and a fully charged computer with good Wi-Fi. Top tip; ask! Your consultant will be able to help you with what the dress code is at the company, or ask directly from your HR or recruitment contact – it’s okay to ask!
Tip 9: Check your social media, the potential employer will!
93% of employers use social media to screen interview candidates before or after their interviews. This is a crucial place to underscore the expertise you’d bring to digital marketing jobs and showcase how you market yourself. Start to brand yourself now if you haven’t already started to. If you can’t show that you can market yourself, it’ll be difficult to show a personal brand that you can market their brand. Promote your skills and develop a following on popular social networks like LinkedIn. Ensure your social media platforms highlight your experience and work in a positive light. Interesting article here, from HR Magazine, discussing this exact point!
Tip 10: Show confidence
Any candidate who wants to land the job should show an appropriate level of confidence. Get some ideas about how to help you build your confidence prior to the interview. You are the expert on your own experiences and strengths, so show that with confidence. Employers want to hire marketers, for example, who can confidently lead their next marketing campaign, so it’s important to bring this energy to your interview.
More news soon on the Interview Follow-Up, watch this space!
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