How to Ace the Interview

On average, each of Meridia’s recruitment professionals interview four people every single day. Based on 250 working days a year, that’s 1,000 interviews annually.

We understand you might be nervous, and we want to help you shine! So we asked our team to share their best interview tips ...

1. Research the opportunity.
   Learn as much as you can about the company and the people you will meet with. Not only will your knowledge impress your potential future employer, it helps you understand whether or not the opportunity is the right fit for you.
    
2. Be ready to tell your story.
   “Tell me about yourself.”
   “Why are you interested in this job?”
   “Why do you think you are right for the job?” 
   
   Consider your responses to these common questions in advance. Identify three or four key strengths you want the interviewer to know about you, and be ready to tell your story in a concise and compelling way. Review your resume in advance and be prepared to cite accomplishments, highlights and reasons for leaving each position.
    
3. Match real-life examples to the job description.
   Look for connections between the job description and your resume. Are they interested in someone who is motivated to find creative solutions? Then pretend they’re asking you to tell them about a time when you showed you could think creatively to solve a problem. 
   
   This will help you translate your experience into a format that works well in an interview. If you don’t have experience in a specific area, find an example of something similar with transferable skills, or an example of a time when you didn’t have previous experience but were able to succeed anyway.
    
4. Bring a recent resume and a notebook.
   Being prepared to take notes and being able to provide a copy of your resume tells the interviewer you are organized and serious about the role.
    
5. Use the STAR technique.
   When you’re asked a behavioural question like “Tell me about a time when …” try to structure your answer with the STAR technique: Situation, Task, Action, Result. This will ensure your answer is relevant, easy to understand, and concise.
    
6. Ask thoughtful questions.
   The questions you ask can demonstrate your sincere interest in the organization and the role. Prepare your questions in advance. Stay away from specific questions about salary and benefits. You are just getting to know each other, and these questions may signal you are motivated by the money rather than doing a great job.
    
7. Make your interest clear.
   You want the job? Let them know. Tell them what excites you about the opportunity, and share your passion. We all want to work with colleagues who are engaged.
    
8. Practice.
   Prepare for the interview by practicing potential answers out loud, either in front of a mirror or in front of your friends and family. Record it on your mobile device and review how you sound. Role-play the interview with another person. Practice makes perfect.
    
9. Dress professionally.
   It’s almost always better to “overdress” than to appear too casual.
    
10. Smile and be yourself. 
    Even if you’re nervous, don’t forget to smile. It will help you and your interviewer relax. Be confident in your knowledge and experience. Approach the interview like a conversation. They want to know the real you because, if all goes well, you’ll be working together very soon.
     

With careful preparation, you can dramatically increase your chances of making a memorable first impression — and landing the job you want.