Making a great first impression at an interview plays a huge part in finding a new job role, as you’ll want to leave a potential employer with the belief that you are the right candidate to fill the vacancy.
But, in order to do this you’ll want to be fully prepared to respond effectively to interview questions that are typically asked by employers. Preparation can take away a lot of your nerves and allow you to answer any questions thrown at you without hesitation.
You do not necessarily need to have an answered memorised, but it can pay off to think about what you are going to say beforehand, so you are not put on the spot during the interview.
Could you tell me a little bit about yourself?
This question may strike you as being very simple, but many fail to really prepare for it. The key is that it is quite an open question so you can cover a wide range of topics, so do not just start listing off your complete employment history – they will have a grasp on that from your CV.
A huge factor for employers when looking at who to recruit is whether or not they are the right fit for the company culture, so this is your chance to discuss your interests away from the office –adopting a more low-key approach is going to help develop a more personal rapport with the interviewer.
Start out by sharing some personal interests, such as reading, cooking or yoga, and then touch on a few experiences that you are most proud of and want the interviewer to know about. Ultimately, you want to end up talking about how your prior experiences and interests have positioned you for the role.
Why do you think you are suited to this position?
Firstly, this is not an invitation to start talking about how great you are. Essentially, you are being asked to match your strengths to the qualities that are required for the role, so be specific. Think about why you are suited to this job in particular, as opposed to others.
Take a look at the job description and also do some research on the company to allow you to match your skills, interests and experience to the position. Using the information you have researched will show the interviewer you have done your homework and can make you stand out from other candidates.
If you’re a graduate looking to kick-start your career, have a chat with Discovery graduates and see how they can help get you started…
