Job Search for newcomers 101: How to Prepare for an Interview

You've finally got the golden ticket: a job interview! Great news, high five!

Whether on the phone, video, or in person, the same rules apply.

Here are a few tips that I hope can help you as much as they've helped me!

You should be prepared to tackle the most common questions in a structured and organized way.

Again, concepts like the SAR model come in handy...

Markus van Ardt, one of my instructors at the Humber Bridging Program for Marketing & Sales professionals, who is a Coach, taught us a very good way to prepare for the #1 most asked question in interviews, and that gets many of us trembling and rambling... Tell Us About Yourself.

The last thing you want to do is to repeat exactly what is on your resume. Instead, you've got to break your speech down into "big buckets" so that it sounds more organized, smooth and flows better.

Tell the interviewer that you're going to address this question in 3 different parts: your skills (education and certifications), where you have applied them (professional experience) and what you would bring to the table if hired (soft skills and what really sets you apart from other candidates). Also tell them you're going to use about 1,5 to 2 minutes to deliver said speech, so they know what to expect.

I've found this to be an excellent way to present myself in a manner that feels polished and so that I don't let nervousness get in the way. By announcing what you are going to say, you reduce the chances of getting interrupted during that time and you're less likely to forget to mention anything relevant.

Something else that Markus says that I truly agree with is that you should be really deliberate about everything that you say. So, record yourself, pick the best words, adjust timing. Eventually, it will become more natural and you will feel much more confident during your interviews.

One other common question that makes a lot of us fumble is: what is your weakness?

Please avoid the mistake of saying something like: I work too hard.

The BS alarm will sound immediately. Come on, you've come along way to land that interview, don't waste it by sounding dishonest. You have got to be truthful, anyone can spot a liar. You should go for something that won't be too harmful and also something that you can spin positively, that you are already working on improving.

One example is: I don't feel comfortable presenting to large audiences. You can say that you're working on that by taking classes with a coach, or that you feel that this specific job will help you overcome that obstacle.

These are some of the most challenging to me. I would love to hear from you as well!

Some other questions that you should be prepared to answer, especially if you are a newcomer too:

- Why did you come to Canada?

- Why do you want this job? => Practice this one harder, in particular, if you are applying to an entry-level job and taking a step back in your career

- Situational questions: What would you do in a situation like... you had a problem with a co-worker, you had to overcome a challenge...

Overall, once again paraphrasing Markus:

- Take your time to answer the questions (take a sip of water if you need a little more time to think)

- Make Eye Contact (if in person)

- Speak loudly and clearly

- Be methodical and deliberate in your answers

- Leave the impression that you're easy to talk to, to chat to, and convince the interviewer that you're someone they can see themselves working with

And my favorite tip: Go in as a consultant, not an interviewee. When I picture myself this way, I tend to feel more confident. After all, we research a lot about the company before we go in, right? So we definitely have something interesting to add to the table, different ideas and insights that prove we deserve that opportunity. Don't be afraid to make suggestions, to leave your mark!

I will leave you with a quote: It's not enough to DO something well, It's also important to be able to EXPLAIN it well.

Communication is everything.

See you next time!

#JobInterviews #jobhunting #newcomers