It’s not just you. Interviewers get nervous too! 5 insights into the busy minds of interviewers and how you can help them to get the best out of you.
The thought of having to attend an interview is enough to force even the most confident of us into a sweaty, vulnerable mess. What are the interviewers going to be like? Are they going to be super serious? What are the questions going to be about? Is my outfit, OK? How am I going to keep eye contact for that long? Wow… before you know it, you’ve fallen into a swirling black hole of the unknown; you can’t climb out and may as well cancel it now anyway.
If you’ve ever felt like this before, you are not alone. Speaking from experience, I can tell you now that it’s not just you… interviewers get nervous too!!
Read on for 5 insights into what might be swirling around your interviewer’s brain, along with top tips on how to fill in the gaps and get the best out of your interview!
1️. This probably isn’t your interviewer’s day job.
If a line manager is interviewing you, the chances are they may well be just as nervous as you! They don’t do this all the time; they have put just as much time and effort into the preparation as you have, and they want you to have a good impression of them and the business! I often find that keeping this in mind helps to keep the nerves at bay – you’re in this together!
2️. “Tell me about yourself” – The most googled interview question ever!
“Tell me about yourself” is the most searched interview question of all time, with over 301,000 people tapping it into their Google search bar every month. Now, it might be a classic, but it’s one of those questions that can be hard to gauge, do they want to know about that time you nearly made it on Bake Off or is it best to stick to a chronological report of every job you’ve ever had? I can tell you now that the latter might get them thinking about what to cook for tea later on, but the trick is to get a good measure of professional and personal.
This question is your chance to shine, open up the forum and set the tone for the rest of the interview. 70/30 work/personal has proven to be a good mix… Try to avoid the chronological report and think more about your greatest achievements, projects you’ve worked on that have made a difference, extra studying you have done that has brought knowledge to the business… that kind of thing. That 30% can be reserved for talking about things you get up to in your own time, like your sporting interests, that time you did the Brighton half or your creative input on the PTA. A little injection of personal brings personality and helps the interviewer to get to know you!
The worst thing for an interviewer is walking away from an interview, feeling like you know exactly what the candidate is capable of but have no idea who they are or how they will fit in with the team!
3️. What do you know about the company? – Hint: This isn’t a history exam!
This is quite often one of the opening lines of many interviews. Let’s be honest; it’s a bit of a clunky question, but it’s nice to throw it in there in the spirit of staying traditional. The key with this one is not to see it as a test… Your interviewer works for the company, they know the year it was founded and who by and whilst they might be keen to know you’ve read that bit on the website, it’s not all that interesting to hear it from the main bulk of an answer. Great answers to this question include your own expression of interest in things like the diverse product range, their USP, their philanthropic work, their mission statement or even the awards they have won. Interviewers want to know what really interests you… not what you think they want to hear, which leads me on very nicely to…
4️. Question time – Ask what you actually want to know!!
At the end of an interview, you will almost always be asked if you have any questions. I’ll be honest: one of the most unwelcome answers to this is, “I think you’ve covered everything.” Whilst that might make an interviewer feel thorough, it can give off a bit of an air of… I haven’t prepared anything in advance, or worse, I’m just not that interested. If there is only one thing you take away from this article, please ensure it is question preparation! Before you attend your interview, write or type out a list of questions you are genuinely eager to ask, things like “What is the team like,” What does a busy day look like?” “What is the most challenging part of this role?” etc. Get these down on paper and TAKE THEM WITH YOU. There is honestly nothing more impressive than a candidate whipping out a list of pre-thought questions at the end of an interview and firing them back at you. 10/10 marks for preparation, organisation, and mindfulness right there.
5️. Look organised and prepared!
An interview is just a tiny snapshot of time, which means that as interviewers, we are always on the lookout for tiny cues that give insight into what you might be like as a person and team member. Attending an interview with a notebook/folder in hand containing a few notes you may wish to refer to as well as your interview questions and the job spec makes you look prepared, organised and in control, and this will leave a lasting impression! Remember, it’s not an exam. You can take notes with you!
And finally… don’t forget your interviewer may very well be just as nervous as you! Good luck!
Written by Holly McSweeney CertRP, Executive Manager and Recruiter - Basingstoke office
