If you pass the first initial stages of your application process the stage will be being offered an interview opportunity.

Pre-covid interviews were predominantly face-to-face however, the move to virtual interviews over Zoom/Teams is a lot more common.

Virtual interviews should be very similar to an in person interview however there will be some slight differences. The added advantage of having your interview online can allow you to have some minimised stresses- the main being that you can be in the comfort of your own home and not have to consider the stress of travelling to somewhere you’ve never visited before.

Despite the move to virtual interviews, still consider the potential other types of interviews recruiters may ask you so you can be prepared and ready to perform your interview in whatever form they ask.

Types of interview

There are different types of job interviews. In most cases, you’ll only need to succeed at one or more of these to land the role. In others, particularly at large graduate employers, you may face several interview formats throughout the application process.

• Face-to face: the traditional form of interview. You’ll attend the employer’s office and be questioned on your suitability for the job by an individual or panel. Face-to-face interviews usually last between 30 minutes and 2 hours, and may be preceded or followed by tests and exercises.

Questions may be strength-based or competency-based.

• Telephone: often used by employers early in the application process to filter large numbers of applicants. If you’re successful you’ll typically be invited to a face-to-face interview or assessment centre. Expect a telephone interview to last around 30-45 minutes.
• Video: increasingly popular among large employers, particularly for applications to graduate schemes. Video interviews can be live or pre-recorded, and tend to last around 30 minutes. These have increasingly been used due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Assessment centres: enables employers to compare the performance of lots of candidates at the same time. You’ll attend an assessment centre with other applicants and take part in tasks such as presentations, team exercises and psychometric tests.

Assessment centres usually last a full working day and have more recently been adapted to be held online.

Your performance in an interview depends to a large extent on how well you prepare.

Don’t leave this until the last minute.

In the days leading up to the interview, focus your research on the:

• Employer: you need to show that you understand the business beyond the basics. What sector does it operate in? What challenges does it face? Who are its competitors? What major projects has it recently completed? What are its culture and values? This kind of knowledge demonstrates a genuine interest and shows you’ve put time and research in the company you’re applying to.
• Role: read the job description again and, if you completed an application form, go over it to refresh your memory of how your skills and qualifications match the job. It’s vital that you can explain why you want the job, that you understand the role and, even more importantly, why the employer should choose you over other candidates.
• Interview panel: try to find out who will be interviewing you. The email inviting you to the interview may include this information. Use LinkedIn and the ‘About us’ section of the company website to find out more about their professional interests and experience. This may help you to connect with your interviewers and create a positive impression during the interview.
• Questions: consider how you’ll answer common interview questions,especially competency questions as this will most definitely be asked in one way or another. Further prepare some questions you’d like to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview such as; “What is the office culture like?”, “What future plans does ‘insert name of company’ have?”, “What are you looking for in a candidate which would make them the perfect fit for this role/company?

Practice job interviews

Practice. Practice. Practice. There’s never such a thing as preparing too much. It’s always a good idea to do a mock interview before the real thing. Your university careers and employability service will help you to practise your interview technique. If you don’t feel comfortable reaching out to a university/ careers service you can always ask a family member.

You can also write and practisc answers to common interview questions with someone you trust – possibly even recording yourself and then reviewing your performance.

It’s also worth testing your telephone connection and making sure that your laptop, microphone and any other technical equipment you need is working and you know how to use them.

Here at Hire STEM Women we offer plenty of opportunities to practice job interviews for our partner firms so do get in touch with us if you want that added support.

What to wear to an interview

While many employers expect candidates to dress smartly, a growing number encourage casual wear at work, making it trickier than ever to choose an interview outfit.

What you’ll be expected to wear depends on factors such as the size of the company, the industry it operates in and the culture it promotes. For example, a small creative agency may have different standards to a major accountancy firm.

If you’re unsure on the dress code, ask before attending the interview. The key point to remember is that it’s better to be too smart than too casual. Only opt for a more casual outfit if you’re certain that’s acceptable – if there’s any doubt, go for smart business attire. Whatever you choose, make sure that your clothes are ironed and your shoes are clean.

Four ways to make a good impression

As you’re preparing for the interview, think about ways you can show yourself in a positive light:

1. Punctuality: arriving late will increase your stress levels and give the employer a bad first impression, so do your best to arrive at least 15 minutes before your allotted time (even if the interview is online still make sure you do this as you don’t know if you can get on with the link or you need to log into a different account or something).
2. Positivity and enthusiasm: be polite and professional with any staff you meet before or after the interview and if you’re feeling particularly nervous, remind yourself that the worst thing that could happen is not getting the job. During the interview, respond to questions with positive statements, be enthusiastic about the job and avoid badmouthing your previous employers or university tutors.
3. Body language: give a firm handshake to your interviewer(s) before and after the session. Once you’re seated, sit naturally without slouching in your chair or leaning on the desk. Throughout the interview, remember to smile frequently and maintain eye contact.
4. Clarity: answer all questions clearly and concisely, expand on your answers, evidencing your most relevant skills, experiences and achievements. It’s acceptable to pause before answering a difficult question to give yourself thinking time or asking for clarification if you’re unsure what a question means. When answering, don’t speak too quickly.

After the interview

As your job interview comes to an end, make sure you find out when you’ll be informed of the outcome and thank the interviewer for giving you the chance to attend.

Make some notes about the questions that were asked and how you answered them while the interview is still fresh in your memory. This will help you prepare even better for future interviews.

There are three potential outcomes:

• Success: if you’re offered the job, make sure it’s right for you by discussing it with friends and family, and double-check details such as the salary before deciding whether to accept.
• Rejection: if you’re unsuccessful, don’t be too downhearted as graduate employers receive large numbers of applications for every role. Email the company to thank them for the opportunity and request feedback from your interview so that you can improve your performance next time.
• Further steps: interviews are typically the final stage in the application process, but if the employer has not been able to make a decision you may be asked back for a second interview.