Doing Your Best At Interviews by IPRS Accredited Member Nisar Keshvani

𝗗𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀
Job interviews are tough – 60 minutes to make an impression and land the role. For hirers, it’s an investment – you research, conjure and anticipate organisational needs to strategise the best fit. For the candidate, the journey is exciting but uncertain. For me, always an illuminating experience, which begins from pre-interview. Some fundamental tips – applicable no matter which stage of your career.

𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻
Always good to understand the organisation, role and ecosystem well. Try to know them better than they do – a tall order but the rewards are multi-fold. It demonstrates your commitment, interest – and your knowledge will resonate from within through your responses.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗩𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲?
Every response is an opportunity to present your case to be hired. Focus on your value add, what you can offer, every time, without fail. The company is hiring to address a need, challenge or pivot to a new direction.

𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲
Anticipate potential questions, have your responses ready. Have a clear narrative. Start with your prior relevant experience, its application to the role, and why you are the best candidate? Pepper the narrative with personal stories - they demonstrate your value.

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 𝗘𝘁𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗲
No matter how informal, senior or junior, the panel, in a café or boardroom. Be well-groomed, professional, sincere and exhibit a warm disposition. Be sure this carries through even after landing the role. Email a thank you note, your portfolio, respond to questions raised with relevant resources. Use it as an opportunity to reinforce why you are the one. Don’t waste the opportunity.

𝗚𝗼 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹
If you applied, but haven’t heard. Look up the hirer, send a personal LinkedIn note, or email. Perhaps, your application slipped through the HR process. At the interview, know your panelists and their background. Small steps that demonstrate you are serious.

𝗤𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗲?
When the hirer asks you – don’t waste it on simple logistics (save them for HR). Use it to assess how the hirer sees your fit, or clarify points made earlier. Reinforce you are best suited.

Never shy away from a founding role – no task, assignment or vision is ever brand-new. Someone is certainly to have done it before. Showcase how your knowledge, research and experience is relevant. You got the interview, now claim it.

𝗚𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗶𝘁 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗕𝗲𝘀𝘁 (𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗿)
With escalating workloads and limited time, when hiring, recall your last job interview. Spend time to understand the candidate, their CV, and strengths – have your analysis ready before they walk in. It is always a humbling experience to meet candidates – be reminded of your earlier struggles, empathise mid-stream or senior candidates. Always make the best decision for your organisation and mandate.

𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗮 𝗖𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲
Anticipate potential questions, have your responses ready. Have a clear narrative. Start with your prior relevant experience, its application to the role, and why you are the best candidate? Pepper the narrative with personal stories - they demonstrate your value.