Whilst it is impossible to anticipate all the questions that might be asked in interview, you should however prepare for the most common ones that professional interviewers tend to rely on. I have outlined below the ten most popular interview questions and given some guidelines on how to best answer them.
Hiring managers have adapted with speed to the new realities of social distancing and have moved from face to face to online interviews. To excel in virtual interviews, it’s important to realise that they’re a different beast. This new form of interview requires adapting your style in order to make them work effectively for you.
Here are 6 tips to help you maximise your presence in virtual interviews and to make that vital connection with the hiring manager.
Preparation is critical. Ideally your screen should be 75-90 cm away from you so that your face and upper torso can be seen. To maximise your presence, the interviewer should be able to see read your body language. Using your full faculty of expression will help them forget that you’re not in the same physical space.
When you’re deciding on where to position your laptop, bear in mind the time of day your meeting is scheduled for and your light source. Make sure that you’re not cast in shadows and that the light doesn’t fluctuate with the movement of the sun.
Remember, virtual interviews are 2D. To help create depth and to avoid fading into the background, wear something that creates a contrast.
Be mindful of your background. Cluttered rooms will make you seem disorganised. Distracting elements will pull attention away from you. Find a space where the background is simple, reflecting your professionalism.
It’s easy when doing a virtual interview to forget that you’re speaking to a real person. Creating a rapport is even more important on line as subtle eye and body movements may not be picked up. Smile, use your body language and tone of voice to create warmth and make that vital connection. Doing stretches or indeed going for a walk before the interview can help, as this will increase your energy levels and project dynamism.
Familiarise yourself with the software being used – Zoom, WebEx, Microsoft Teams, Skype. They’re all slightly different and being familiar with their settings can give you more control. For example in zoom you can hide your self-cam (which can be distracting), or choose gallery view to allow you view all participants on the screen at the same time.
As it’s likely that virtual interviews will become a permanent feature of the recruitment process, adapting your style will help position yourself as a strong and adaptable communicator – someone who can flex and embrace change.
About the author
Laura is a qualified executive coach, EMCC Certified with over 20 years’ experience in executive search and recruitment. She’s the owner of Interview Techniques, a leading provider of interview and career coaching services. For a consultation, please call 087 669 1192 or go to www.interviewtechniques.ie.
Anxiety and fear of interviews is a common problem. As a business coach, I have worked with clients whose fear has crippled their career development and earning potential. My clients are very capable and know their anxiety is irrational but sometimes that’s not enough. It takes time and effort to understand and overcome such emotions but all is possible with the right help.
The interview process is a highly competitive one and like any elite sport the difference between winning and losing is marginal. With this in mind, it’s useful to look at the characteristics shared by successful candidates.
They reposition themselves from job applicant to business partner:
When coaching clients, I always encourage them to understand the world from the interviewer’s perspective. I invite them to focus on what they need to be successful in their new role and explore how they can add value to their new employer. This injects pace and passion to the interview……
Competency questions are still hugely popular and form part of most interviews. Whilst recent research has questioned their value in predicting success in fast moving environments (Harvard Business Review Feb 10th 2016), you’d be well advised to anticipate competency questions and have examples to hand.
Here’s a few things to consider in the lead up to your interview:
Be strategic with your examples:
Review the last 5 years in your job, identify your biggest wins and build your examples around them. Choose examples that most closely align with your target role. For promotion interviews, try to choose examples where you’ve already “acted up” in your role – eg where you’ve deputised for your manager or taken a lead role in a project.
What’s the biggest mistake we make in interviews?
Interviewing for the job we’re in, not the job we’re going for.
The easiest way to avoid falling into this trap is to approach the interview as you would any part of the business – strategically. Look for overlaps between your current role and the desired position, then show you’ve the abilities required to adapt to the higher level of responsibilities demanded.
Areas to look out for:
Stakeholder management:
Strategic input:
Emotional Intelligence:
In 1918 Irish women got the right to vote. 1973 heralded the abolition of the marriage bar; 1977 saw the introduction of the Employment Equality Act. Girls now consistently outshine boys across the globe in exam results. Having made so much progress, why are women still underrepresented in political circles and the upper echelons of business?
Most people I coach find this question particularly challenging. They assume that the interviewer is looking for an example of a highly charged situation where there’s a complete breakdown of a relationship.
Relax, your examples don’t need to have Hollywood style plots and drama. The key to answering this question well is simply replacing the world conflict with disagreement.
Most graduate recruitment is done through online application forms so before you start typing, here’s a few things you need to consider to get past the first hurdle.
In a world where extrovert qualities are extolled, and society rewards those who are gregarious, dominant and comfortable in the spotlight; how can those of a quieter, more reflective disposition make an impact in interview and secure their career advancement.
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