Bonus Interview Tips

Bonus Interview Tips

Before the Interview

Look Up the Company:

• Check their website for what they do, their mission, and values.
• Browse their social media or recent news to get a feel for their vibe.

 

Know the Role:

• Read the job description to understand what they’re looking for.
• Think about how your skills and experience match the role.

 

Brush Up on Your Resume:

• Be ready to explain anything on your resume, like past jobs, skills, or gaps.
• Have some cool examples of your work achievements to share.

 

Prepare for Common Questions:

• Tell me about yourself.
• Why are you interested in this job?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Tell me about a challenge you overcame.

 

Think of Some Questions to Ask:

• What’s the day-to-day like in this role?
• What’s the team like?
• How does this role contribute to the company’s goals?

 

 

During the Interview

 

Relax and Be Yourself:

• Interviews are as much about seeing if you’re a good fit for the team as they are about your skills. Be authentic!

 

Use the STAR Method for Stories:

• Situation: Set up the scene.
• Task: What needed to be done?
• Action: What did you do?
• Result: How did it all turn out? (Bonus if you have numbers or results!)

 

Body Language:

• Sit comfortably but upright.
• Smile, nod when appropriate, and make eye contact.

Keep it Conversational:

• Think of it like a two-way conversation, not an interrogation. Engage and ask questions as they come up naturally.

 

 

 

Common Interview Questions & Chill Responses

 Tell me about yourself.

• Answer idea: “I’ve been working in digital marketing for the last three years, focusing on content creation. I love staying on top of trends and figuring out new ways to engage with an audience. Outside of work, I’m big into photography and creative projects.”

 

Why do you want this job?

• Answer idea: “Your company’s focus on sustainability really caught my eye. I’m passionate about environmental issues, and I think my skills in project management could help bring some of your initiatives to the next level.”

 

What are your strengths?

• Answer idea: “I’m a great communicator, especially when it comes to working with different teams. In my last job, I helped bridge the gap between marketing and product teams, which sped up project timelines.”

 

What’s your weakness?

• Answer idea: “I can get too caught up in details. I’ve learned to manage it by setting clearer priorities and deadlines for myself.”

 

Tell me about a time you solved a problem.

• Answer idea (STAR): “At my last job, we had an issue with our website’s user experience (Situation). I took the lead on gathering customer feedback (Task) and worked with the development team to implement the changes (Action). It resulted in a 15% increase in user engagement (Result).”

 

Handling Tricky Questions

Why did you leave your last job?

• Answer idea: “I learned a lot at my last job, but I’m ready for a new challenge where I can continue to grow and apply my skills.”

 

What salary are you expecting?

• Answer idea: “I’m open to discussing salary based on the responsibilities and opportunities for growth in this role. I’d expect something in the range of £X to £Y, but I’m flexible.”

 

What’s your biggest failure?

• Answer idea: “I once underestimated the time needed for a project, and we missed an important deadline. It taught me to manage time better and communicate more clearly with my team.”

 

Wrapping It Up

 

Ask Questions:

• What’s your favourite thing about working here?
• How does this role fit into the bigger picture of the company’s goals?

 

Reaffirm Your Interest:

• End with something like, “I’m really excited about this role and how I can contribute to your team.”

 

Say Thanks:

• Thank the interviewer for their time before leaving.
• Follow up with a quick thank-you email within 24 hours to keep it professional.

 

Other Tips

 Dress Smart-Casual:

• Check the company’s culture, but generally, business casual works well. Not too formal, not too laid-back.

 

Show Up on Time:

• Arrive 10-15 minutes early—being punctual makes a good first impression.

 

Practice:

• Practice answering questions in front of a mirror or with a friend. Keep your answers natural, not scripted.

 

 

Quick Confidence Boost:

Remember, the interview is as much about you interviewing them as it is about them interviewing you. You're looking for a good fit too! Stay positive and confident in your skills.