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Our Top 4 Tips for Acing Your Next Interview

Jonathan Shepherd-Stubbs • Jun 06, 2023

How do you feel about interviews? We can probably all identify with the nerves in the days leading up to it and they can be daunting to the best of us but there are some things you can do to go a long way to the success of your next one. Let’s jump into our top tips for acing your next interview.

 

Get to Know the Company!

This is so important. Get to know the company you are interviewing with inside out, find out what makes them tick, what their values are and how their company culture works. No interviewer wants to think that any job will do and you are only there for the sake of getting a job. At the very very least, do a quick Google search on the company and its management staff so you are prepared and genuinely interested on the day.

 

Practice with a Friend

The more we do something, the less scary it becomes so consider recruiting a friend to practice some common interview questions that might come up in your interview. This tip will allow you to feel more confident about yourself and your answers as your job interview approaches. Also run through your CV and try to anticipate any questions that might come up about it and have an answer ready.

 

Consider YOUR Questions

Yes, the dreaded “Do you have any questions for us?” moment near the end of your interview. If you have used our first tip to prepare, then this step should be a whole lot easier for you. Try to have some questions in mind for when this point in your interview arises to let the recruiter know you are forward thinking and taking an interest in their company and your future there. Always keep in mind, the recruiter isn’t trying to catch you out, they just simply want to find someone who is the right fit for the role.

 

Present Yourself

Everyone looks their best on interview day, we all want to make a good first impression right? How you present yourself doesn’t stop there though, also consider how you carry yourself during your interview. It’s always a good idea introduce yourself confidently, make eye contact as you answer questions and provide a firm handshake upon arrival and departure. Stay positive, stay engaged and stay calm.

 

We hope these tips have helped you prepare and feel more confident as your interview approaches. If you are looking for your next job role, our expert team would love to support you on your journey.
 
Contact us here.

*If you would like to discover ways to mentally prepare yourself for your next interview, take a look at this blog we have previously released. 

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What Qualities to Look for in a Candidate

by Jonathan Shepherd-Stubbs • 25 Apr, 2024
With so much talent out there, it’s not always easy to find the perfect candidate for your current vacancies. If you want to avoid a high staff turnover and get the perfect candidate in your team from the off and watch them grow, here are some initial qualities to look out for in your next round of hiring. Leadership There’s no limit to the heights a candidate could reach in your business and it’s often those who start at the bottom who end up working their way up through the ranks. Whilst your current candidate might not be at that level yet, it’s worth looking out for signs early on that will make them an excellent leader in the future. Honesty & Integrity This one goes without saying, you need someone you can really trust to take on a role within your business. Whilst it’s not always evident in the interview stage whether you can really trust a candidate, you will usually find evidence of this when you investigate references and ask questions about the candidates previous roles. Dependability Just like trust, you need someone working within your business who is dependable and does what they say they are going to do. An employer’s nightmare is someone who is regularly late for shifts or worse, doesn’t turn up at all. There are some early signs you can look for here; Was the candidate on time for their interview? How long did they work for their last employer? Do they switch jobs often?  Competency Lastly, is your candidate competent in the job you are expecting them to do? If you are hiring someone straight out of college, maybe they aren’t quite ready for a leadership role. Does the candidate have proven track record of managerial experience? Maybe they won’t be quite suited to a more junior position. As always, it’s important to ask questions and really get to know your candidates in your interviews to maximise the chances of you getting the right employee for your business. If you are new to interviewing, check out our blog ‘3 of the Best Questions to ask any Candidate’ to maximise your time and really get the most out of your next interview. If you need further support as an employer, we have you covered. From advertising your latest role to our audience to matching you with the perfect employee, we would love to help. Contact our team here.

LinkedIn Poll Results - April 2024

by Simon Clark • 18 Apr, 2024
At Shepherd Stubbs Recruitment, we are committed to understanding the intricacies of workplace dynamics and what drives employee performance. Our April 2024 LinkedIn poll asked a crucial question: "What’s your biggest motivator at work?" We are grateful for the excellent response and thank everyone who participated and shared the poll with their connections. The results reveal a diverse set of motivators that underscore the complexity of employee engagement today. Leading the pack was 'Work-Life Balance' with 31% of the vote, indicating that employees are increasingly valuing the ability to effectively manage their professional and personal lives. This trend highlights the importance for employers to offer flexible working conditions that support a healthier work-life integration. Both 'Recognition/Praise' and 'Financial Incentives' tied at 25%, reflecting a classic yet evolving understanding that both acknowledgment and monetary rewards play significant roles in motivating employees. Recognition and praise show employees that their efforts are valued, boosting morale and productivity. Simultaneously, financial incentives continue to be a powerful motivator, underlining the need for competitive compensation structures. 'Career Opportunities' was also a key driver, with 19% of respondents indicating that the prospect of advancement and professional growth is a crucial motivator. This result points to the necessity for organisations to cultivate clear career paths and development opportunities to retain ambitious employees. These insights are invaluable as they highlight the varied and complex factors that motivate today’s workforce. We leverage this understanding to help our clients attract and retain the right talent, aligning our strategies with the evolving needs and motivations of the workforce. Remember, in a changing job market, it’s all about the right people, and knowing what moves them is the first step towards success. If you would like to talk to the team about placing a new candidate, get in touch here .
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