Interview tips
Discussion
I’ve applied for a new role at work and find out shortly if I’ve got an interview.
I’m shockingly bad at interviews so need all the help I can get! I’m well suited for the role, got the experience and my supervisors have all said the same.
I’ve got a rough idea of what the interview is going to be about, but the main thing is it’s likely to be over Teams, so harder to grab the room in my experience.
Those that have either had an interview over Teams/Zoom/Skype have you got any tips? If anyone has any advice from the other side as well that would be great!
I’m shockingly bad at interviews so need all the help I can get! I’m well suited for the role, got the experience and my supervisors have all said the same.
I’ve got a rough idea of what the interview is going to be about, but the main thing is it’s likely to be over Teams, so harder to grab the room in my experience.
Those that have either had an interview over Teams/Zoom/Skype have you got any tips? If anyone has any advice from the other side as well that would be great!
I am not sure if this was true but from an internal interview: be prepared to playback to them that you have FULLY read the job description. i.e. if they asked you why you have applied, try and play back the key requirements they stated. I had never thought to do this before but it was feedback I got. (that I didn't emphasise this in my answers, i.e. passionate about X)
The very hard thing is answering the question at the right length, so practice (with 2 examples of each situation prepared incase they ask for elaboration). Get a good camera if possible as it makes a massive difference if they can see you clearly.
Have a couple of smart questions prepared...i.e. biggest issues they are facing or something else you might know that none of us would internal to the company you are working for.
Hope this helps, a touch.
The very hard thing is answering the question at the right length, so practice (with 2 examples of each situation prepared incase they ask for elaboration). Get a good camera if possible as it makes a massive difference if they can see you clearly.
Have a couple of smart questions prepared...i.e. biggest issues they are facing or something else you might know that none of us would internal to the company you are working for.
Hope this helps, a touch.
LosingGrip said:
Thanks both 
.
OneNote is a good shout! I was going to place cue cards around the place but didn’t want it to be obvious that I was looking at them and not the screen, if it’s on the screen it’s even better!
Yeah, just use the virtual post-it's which are in outlook. Do you know anyone senior who hires you can do a dummy run with? That can help. Otherwise, it sounds like it's a formality, so just appear confident/keen.. OneNote is a good shout! I was going to place cue cards around the place but didn’t want it to be obvious that I was looking at them and not the screen, if it’s on the screen it’s even better!
Good luck.
One thing I've noticed work Teams interviews is dress code is out the window. I'm interviewing developers at the min. In the past you would expect them to wear a suit to a face to face. Now they make no effort at all, just appear in hoddies or t shirts. Im not saying wear a tie and suit, but an ironed shirt wouldn't go a miss. Unless your company is a hip young agency no is going to mark you down for making an effort, but some old fuddy-duddy might for you not.
Prepare some questions to ask. Make sure you understand the role, think of examples of achievements you have had. When answering a question focus on what YOU did, what it achieved. Don't give them chapter and verse on day to day tasks. Show them your contribution. Of course at the same time you may need to show you can work in team so don't make it all me me me.
Good luck!
Prepare some questions to ask. Make sure you understand the role, think of examples of achievements you have had. When answering a question focus on what YOU did, what it achieved. Don't give them chapter and verse on day to day tasks. Show them your contribution. Of course at the same time you may need to show you can work in team so don't make it all me me me.
Good luck!
Interviewed plenty of people over Teams so my tips would be:
- Get the tech supported. If it's internal and you use Teams all the time then this should already be the case. Don't want to be dealing with poor sound on the day.
- Talk down the camera. The shiny thing at the top of the screen! Can be difficult if you use a laptop and multi display set-up I know.
- Put some trousers on. Seriously, amount of people that think they can get away with just the top half and then they need to close the door or answer the front door etc!
- Oh, and remember it's an interview about you. I don't care if the team or the business did well. What did you do?
- Don't talk BS. It's one thing to be complacent (usually comes with inexperience), it's another to claim you're an expert or lie about your knowledge.
- Remember, you've already passed the qualifications stage on your CV (hopefully). The interview is largely to verify that and see if you're a fit for the team/role/business. But also to find out if you like the team/business too, so ask questions about the work culture.
- Get the tech supported. If it's internal and you use Teams all the time then this should already be the case. Don't want to be dealing with poor sound on the day.
- Talk down the camera. The shiny thing at the top of the screen! Can be difficult if you use a laptop and multi display set-up I know.
- Put some trousers on. Seriously, amount of people that think they can get away with just the top half and then they need to close the door or answer the front door etc!
- Oh, and remember it's an interview about you. I don't care if the team or the business did well. What did you do?
- Don't talk BS. It's one thing to be complacent (usually comes with inexperience), it's another to claim you're an expert or lie about your knowledge.
- Remember, you've already passed the qualifications stage on your CV (hopefully). The interview is largely to verify that and see if you're a fit for the team/role/business. But also to find out if you like the team/business too, so ask questions about the work culture.
Evanivitch said:
- Get the tech supported. If it's internal and you use Teams all the time then this should already be the case. Don't want to be dealing with poor sound on the day.
On a Windows PC if you test the camera using the Windows app then turn the camera off again in the app otherwise it doesn't work in Teams! My daughter did this - she was the only one whose camera didn't work in the first group interview. Don't lose hope though - the presentation part of the face-to-face interview also went wrong (couldn't log in to her Google Drive to get the presentation) but she still got the job!
Get some light on your face too, especially if using a laptop camera as they're often quite poor.
Edited by Sheepshanks on Thursday 30th December 23:07
Have a drink next to you - if you get asked a tricky question, having a sip will buy you time to compose your answer and not appear awkward.
Make sure you know how your laptop works - camera, microphone, volume ect ect.
Seems obvious, but don’t be distracted by anything and set yourself up somewhere quiet (don’t answer the door, have the cat walking across the keyboard/monitor ect).
Don’t be too modest about your achievements, successes or contributions - it can seem a little uncomfortable blowing your own trumpet, but you must. Unless you did something specific and relevant in leading the team, don’t talk about them.
Be confident in clarifying a question if you don’t quite understand.
Don’t waffle (!) if you lose direction and keep it relevant.
Don’t be afraid to talk pay at the end - the most annoying thing for both sides is getting to formal offer then having protracted negotiations that end in either side walking away.
Keep checking back, as there will no doubt be some other very good tips and make sure to let us know how you do - best of luck!
Make sure you know how your laptop works - camera, microphone, volume ect ect.
Seems obvious, but don’t be distracted by anything and set yourself up somewhere quiet (don’t answer the door, have the cat walking across the keyboard/monitor ect).
Don’t be too modest about your achievements, successes or contributions - it can seem a little uncomfortable blowing your own trumpet, but you must. Unless you did something specific and relevant in leading the team, don’t talk about them.
Be confident in clarifying a question if you don’t quite understand.
Don’t waffle (!) if you lose direction and keep it relevant.
Don’t be afraid to talk pay at the end - the most annoying thing for both sides is getting to formal offer then having protracted negotiations that end in either side walking away.
Keep checking back, as there will no doubt be some other very good tips and make sure to let us know how you do - best of luck!
Some great advice there.
Couple of other things.
Asking questions at the end of the interview is not mandatory. In fact, it can be detrimental if you ask something that you could have reasonably been expected to find out, as part of your own due diligence, prior to the interview. My advice is only ask questions based upon any new information found out at the interview.
Secondly, if this is your dream role and you’re not as sharp as you think you need to be with interview skills, either apply for another role as practice or take some coaching to remove any risk of a lacklustre performance.
Good luck!
Couple of other things.
Asking questions at the end of the interview is not mandatory. In fact, it can be detrimental if you ask something that you could have reasonably been expected to find out, as part of your own due diligence, prior to the interview. My advice is only ask questions based upon any new information found out at the interview.
Secondly, if this is your dream role and you’re not as sharp as you think you need to be with interview skills, either apply for another role as practice or take some coaching to remove any risk of a lacklustre performance.
Good luck!
Many thanks again everyone .
. rog007 said:
Secondly, if this is your dream role and you’re not as sharp as you think you need to be with interview skills, either apply for another role as practice or take some coaching to remove any risk of a lacklustre performance.
Good luck!
I’m quite lucky in that if I’m not successful (or as I heard recently…deferring my success to later) it shouldn’t be too long until I can apply again. And although I’ve got the experience from a previous role, I’ve only been in this job for two and a half years. Got another 30 odd to go before I can retire so plenty of time. Good luck!
Dromedary66 said:
When the interviewer asks "Where do you see yourself in five years time?"
Do not say, "doing your wife"
Also do not say, doing your job. It's so cliché and if it's unrealistic you'll sound like a dick. The question itself is a bit crap, but I sometimes ask it just to see how people want to progress and how that could work with the teams I have. Do not say, "doing your wife"
I was interviewing a graduate developer once, when I was head of dev. I asked him that and he said doing your job. He had clearly been told to say that when asked. I asked him to explain how he thought that was achievable given that I had got to that role quicker than most, but it still took a lot longer than 5 years. He couldn't.
Scabutz said:
Also do not say, doing your job. It's so cliché and if it's unrealistic you'll sound like a dick. The question itself is a bit crap, but I sometimes ask it just to see how people want to progress and how that could work with the teams I have.
I was interviewing a graduate developer once, when I was head of dev. I asked him that and he said doing your job. He had clearly been told to say that when asked. I asked him to explain how he thought that was achievable given that I had got to that role quicker than most, but it still took a lot longer than 5 years. He couldn't.
LOL, that's a Claude type thing to do. Funny and cringeworthy at the same time.I was interviewing a graduate developer once, when I was head of dev. I asked him that and he said doing your job. He had clearly been told to say that when asked. I asked him to explain how he thought that was achievable given that I had got to that role quicker than most, but it still took a lot longer than 5 years. He couldn't.
I've always said what I enjoy doing in work, so in 5 years time, I would hope that that is still the core of my work - It's very non specific, and allows room for interpretation, because who can know the future?
Meeten-5dulx said:
Have a look at the STAR technique.
Whilst it may not apply in the role you are applying for, there are some good ideas that you can apply.
Highly recommend the STAR technique also, been using it successfully for years.Whilst it may not apply in the role you are applying for, there are some good ideas that you can apply.
Also remember that although you have lived your experiences and know them inside out it will likely be the first time the other person is hearing about them.
My advice, and I interview and employe a lot of people, I've also got every job I've ever interviewed for, is to cut the BS and focus on why this position interests you. I make my mind up within a few minutes, sometimes seconds and tailor the interview accordingly. I've never employed someone I didn't like or warm to. Poo pooing your last job or jobs is an instant no, bad habits, criminal records, bad language (even though i swear constantly) is a no no. Phones going off your out, you're late, you're out, not turned up smart, you guessed it, you're out.
Many years ago I applied for a high level sales position. I presented 100 prospects, with names, numbers, emails of potential customers I had called, I included what they bought, where from and some even gave me pricing information. I gave this to my would be employer at the end and said it was their regardless of the outcome.
also if you get multiple interviews, think of it as another opportunity to show them why you are the right person. Good people are hard to find, they are harder to keep. Be confident, if remuneration doesn't come up, bring it up. If they get funny about asking, they aren't the one for you. Remember this is a two way interview.
Many years ago I applied for a high level sales position. I presented 100 prospects, with names, numbers, emails of potential customers I had called, I included what they bought, where from and some even gave me pricing information. I gave this to my would be employer at the end and said it was their regardless of the outcome.
also if you get multiple interviews, think of it as another opportunity to show them why you are the right person. Good people are hard to find, they are harder to keep. Be confident, if remuneration doesn't come up, bring it up. If they get funny about asking, they aren't the one for you. Remember this is a two way interview.
- edit - bloody mac and its autocorrect!
Edited by anonymous-user on Sunday 2nd January 12:27
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