March 25, 2022
An interview is always an exciting accomplishment, but it is often daunting to most individuals. I am writing to inform you that it does not have to be scary! In fact, by utilizing these quick and attainable tips found below, you will be more than ready to ace your next interview in no time. This information has been adapted from the resources found within Student Resources > Interview Prep on https:/careerzone.brocku.ca.
The 4 P’s to Success
When it comes to acing your interview, there is a general principle to guide you to success. This principle is known as The 4 P’s and will act as a framework to enhance your interview when the time comes. The 4 P’s are:
Prepare
To prepare for your interview, it is important to review your submitted application and reflect on your career goals and relevant skills. An interview is about sharing your skills and talents with employers and how you bring value to their business. In doing this, it is essential to research the company in advance. This not only shows initiative and genuine interest in the position, but it will help you to answer interview questions and make connections to skills that are directly applicable or transferrable to the job. Don’t forget to explore the company’s values, mission, and vision statement to understand the foundation of what they do.
After researching the company, brainstorm potential questions you would like to ask the employer during the interview. Preparing questions in advance will demonstrate your interest in the job, and help you understand the role in more detail beyond the job posting. This can help reduce the pressure put on you on the actual interview day and can decrease stress. Remember, the interview is a reciprocal process. You want to learn about them just as much as they want to learn about you.
Practice
Once you have begun to prepare for your interview, it is important to practice! Thinking through your responses to common interview questions is a good first step:
- Tell me about yourself
- What is your biggest strength/weakness?
- Why do you want to work for the company you are applying to?
- What skills do you have that make you an ideal candidate?
- Do you have any questions for us? (Always have questions prepared to ask the interviewer as mentioned above)
By practicing these questions and other questions that could be applicable to the job, you are equipping your brain to efficiently approach each question.
There are numerous platforms or opportunities to practice interviews at Brock or online. Students are welcome to book a mock interview with a Talent Development Specialist as these staff members are experts in providing you with feedback that will take your interview performance to the next level! Booking mock interview is also beneficial as it provides a simulated interview scenario. Another option is to practice your interview skills using a web-based tool such as Interview Stream. Through this platform, you can select up to 10 questions to practice, record your responses, and then watch your interview to review your body language and reflect on how well you have communicated your strengths and talents.
When you are practicing, a good strategy to use is the SOAR Technique. This technique allows you to formulate your answer in a specific, concise manner. The SOAR Technique is outlined in the table below as follows:
Participate
Being a positively engaged person during the interview process is key. Be mindful of verbal and non-verbal aspects such as, your eye contact and body language, listening attentively, asking questions, clarifying questions, and managing any nervous habits, and keeping your responses concise, are important. CareerZone offers a large multitude of virtual workshops on interview preparation and helping you manage your professional presence in an interview. To find an upcoming interview workshop, visit the events calendar on CareerZone or Experience BU.
Positivity
Having a positive attitude can go a long way. To help build this positive attitude, it is always recommended that you get ready in advance, be on time and dress for success! When you meet with the employer, portray this positive attitude through both verbal and non-verbal communication!
We are here to support you, so don’t be afraid to ask for help! We offer many student resources on our portal (careerzone.brocku.ca) and can be contacted via email at career@brocku.ca to answer any inquiries you may have.
Twitter: @BrockCareerZone
Instagram: @brockcareerzone
Edited by Kara Renaud, Supervisor of Career Education, CCEE Department
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