Whether you’re fresh out of college and looking to land your first job or a veteran in your industry, job interviews can be a daunting experience.

If you’re changing careers, going to interviews for positions in your new chosen field is most likely an unfamiliar territory for you, making things even more nerve-racking.

However, with the right preparation and internal reflection, the interview process can be a more pleasant professional experience – ultimately helping you get the position you’re after.

Here are some of our top tips for interviews for job seekers.

Be Self-aware

The first step towards a successful interview is knowing yourself. It’s important to know that the job you are applying for is something that is aligned with who you are. Take some time for internal exploration. Understand what your career goals are, where your talents lie, what your interests and values are. If you are clear on what drives and energises you and have a list of criteria for what you want in a workplace, you’ll be more confident and authentic.

The key to career success is in doing work that fulfils and satisfies you. The more self-aware you are, the more likely you will be to find a job or career that you enjoy. If you’re applying for a job that you are truly passionate about, then the interview is already off to a great start.

Be Prepared

Before arriving at the interview, do some research on the company you are applying to work at. Get an idea of the company’s history, their organisational culture, the work they do and the people who work there. Knowing a bit about the organisation will help with your nerves and shows initiative to the interviewer too.

You should also spend some time preparing your thoughts on how you might add value to the company. You can think about the following types of questions:

-      How do your interests, passions and talents align with the role?

-      How do your values fit in with those of the company?

-      What are your aspirations and career goals and how do they relate to the role you are applying for?

Ask Questions

Although you are the candidate being interviewed, you will most likely have some questions about the role too. It’s important to ask your interviewer about any queries you may have. Asking insightful questions shows that you have thought about the position with serious intent and are curious to know more.

Having a clear understanding of the role you are applying for will help you determine if this is a position that will motivate and inspire you in your career.

Be Authentic

We’ve written previously about Why Authenticity is So Important in the Workplace. Being authentic at work affects your happiness, satisfaction, confidence, relationships, success and ability to lead.

With this in mind, you’ll want to be authentic from the start. Let your interviewer understand who you really are so that you can be your true self going forward. You’re most confident and comfortable when you are being yourself too which will increase the likelihood of making the interview more successful.

We feel that the journey to a successful interview starts with taking an in-depth look at yourself. By understanding human development, our career consultants can help with this process of discovery, ultimately bringing about satisfaction in your career path. If you’re looking for help developing your career, we’d love to have a chat and discuss your situation. Book a free consultation with one of our experienced career consultants.