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ACE YOUR NEXT INTERVIEW: FIVE JOB INTERVIEW TIPS TO GET HIRED
Interviews, whether you love them or hate them, are an essential part of our professional journey. They serve as a crucial step in launching our careers or advancing to the next level on the career ladder.
While some relish the idea of interviewing, seeing it as a chance to showcase their skills, grow their experience and even build their network, for the majority of us interviewing can feel overwhelming and often intimidating. Studies show that 93% of candidates have experienced interview anxiety at some point in their career, so you’re not alone.
At Code First Girls, CFGdegree candidates are offered a unique interview coaching experience as part of their programme to help tackle those interview nerves. Prior to coaching, 77% of candidates expressed they felt worried or underprepared about interviewing, fast-forward to post-interview coaching and 96% of candidates saw an increase in confidence!
Sure, there are age-old tips that are often dished out to help ease nerves, but ‘imagining the interviewer naked’ can only get you so far. The truth is, as you advance in your career, interviews tend to become more challenging and therefore, can also be more daunting.
WHY ARE INTERVIEWS SO DAUNTING?
For many, the stakes feel high in an interview as they are often connected to an important life goal or aspiration. This perceived importance can trigger a fear of judgment or self-doubt, especially when the role we are interviewing for is a step up from your current position.
Interviews can also feel overwhelming as you’re simply entering the unknown – not having a clear idea of how the interview will go, who the interviewers are or the questions you may be asked.
These are perfectly normal feelings to face before an interview, but overcoming some of that uncertainty is a good place to start.
Studies show that 93% of us have experienced interview anxiety at some point in their career, so you’re not alone.
WHAT IS A TYPICAL INTERVIEW STRUCTURE?
The format of an interview can vary depending on a few factors, such as the stage in which the interview is at, the industry and the role you’re interviewing for, as well as the company process.
Larger companies often follow similar interview formats, so you can frequently find insights and tips from others on platforms like Google or Glassdoor. However, it’s important to keep in mind that their experiences may not necessarily reflect your own.
The average interview lasts between 30-40 minutes, with this increasing to an hour for junior-level tech roles and typically follows a variation of the below format:
‘Tell us about yourself’ – The dreaded question, but it is actually the simplest one! They’ll want to hear a little bit about you and your reason for applying for the role with that specific company. They may even suggest an icebreaker to help ease the nerves.
‘Walk us through your experience’ – Now they’ll want to dig into the details a little more. Don’t just read from your CV but showcase it- this is also a great chance to drop in some achievements from previous roles.
Top tip: Try and summarise your biggest achievements in three points. ⭐️
‘Tell me about a time that you…’ – It’s time for some behavioural questions! These are a great way for the interviewer to assess how you handle situations, and your ability to work in a team and gauge your cultural fit.
‘What is your experience with…?’ – Skills-based questions are particularly prominent when it comes to technical roles such as Software Developer. Depending on the stage of the interview, you may also be asked to do a tech or skills-based assessment.
‘Do you have any questions for us?’ – A sign you’re coming to the end of the interview (phew!), but don’t end it there. Make sure you come prepared with thoughtful and relevant questions to show your interest and to help you decide if it’s the right fit.
The average interview lasts between 30-40 minutes with this increasing to an hour for junior-level tech roles.
HOW TO LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION IN AN INTERVIEW
Looking to walk into your next interview brimming with confidence, and maybe even a bit of excitement? We’ve collated our go-to list of interview tips from industry experts, CFG’s own interview coaches and our group of flourishing CFG ambassadors.
1. Tell a story, not just your CV
Chances are you’ve landed an interview because your skills and experience match what they are looking for, so your interview is the time to show them the person behind the CV and what makes you unique.
Whether it’s your first interview or your third, it’s crucial to demonstrate the value of your experience and highlight both the major achievements and the smaller wins that have helped shape your journey.
Worried you don’t have enough to discuss? Interviewing for a role in a new industry or field can make it feel like you don’t have enough to offer, but that’s far from the case! Your story isn’t limited to just your CV. Come prepared to share life experiences like travelling, volunteering or mentoring, and highlight the benefits those experiences can bring to the role.
2. Bring the value!
Look at creating a portfolio to bring your past experience and skills to life! Portfolios not only provide a visual showcase of your work, but they also give interviewers a clear insight into your process and what you can truly accomplish.
Portfolios can take various formats and serve many purposes across tech-related roles. For example, a Web Developer might showcase a live website, a Data Scientist could display interactive dashboards, and a Cloud Architect may demonstrate cloud solutions through detailed diagrams.
3. Bring the passion!
Ever heard the saying ‘People don’t buy your products, they buy you?’ well the same can be said for interviews. While the qualification and the skills are important, your personality is even more so.
One thing people love to see? Passion! In fact, 4 in 10 employers would reject a candidate if they didn’t show any enthusiasm. Ask any experienced hiring manager, and they’ll tell you about a time they’ve hired someone who may be slightly less qualified than another candidate, but their passion and willingness to learn scored them the role.
Show your enthusiasm for the role and the company, be authentic, and don’t hesitate to let your personality shine — it could be the key to winning them over!
4. The reverse interview
A great technique to have in your back pocket, not only to add passion but also to navigate an interview if it’s becoming a little ‘rigid’.
Reverse interviewing is exactly as it sounds, it’s you interviewing them! We often wait until the final moments of an interview to ask our own questions, but they can be just (if not more) powerful throughout the interview. Instead of waiting for the interviewer to ask you questions, you can show your understanding of the role and your interest by asking a question first, if this is appropriate to do so.
A great example of this may be ‘What’s one challenge you’re finding hard at the moment and how do you see this role helping in that?’.
A few things to keep in mind: Be adaptable, ensure your questions flow naturally within the conversation, and avoid asking questions that have already been answered.
Additionally, it’s important not to overdo it—aim for around 4-5 questions during the interview. You want to engage without giving the impression that you’re leading the interview!
5. Preparation really is the key
You’ve heard it time and time again, but preparing for an interview should always be on your pre-interview checklist.
On average, almost half of candidates that were rejected is because they didn’t understand enough about the role. Preparation goes beyond just studying the job description and knowing the company, but is also about knowing yourself too! Practice some common interview questions that you may get asked (some companies may even give you a sneak peek beforehand), know your CV and experience like the back of your hand and be prepared to answer any slightly more challenging questions that could come up – we’ve all been asked the dreaded ‘what’s your biggest weakness?’.
💡 Top Tip: The STAR method is a great technique to help ensure your answers are effective.
CONCLUSION
While you can’t predict every moment of your interview, following our top five tips will help you feel prepared, professional, and passionate—putting you in the best position to land that job!
It’s completely normal to feel nervous; even the interviewers have been in your shoes. And remember, it’s perfectly fine to take a brief pause before answering a question—it shows you’re thoughtful and invested in giving a meaningful response.
Embrace those nerves, enjoy the opportunity, and with the right preparation, you’ll walk into your next interview not just ready to answer questions, but ready to wow. 🌟
Good luck—you’ve got this!
