HOW TO STAND OUT IN A JOB INTERVIEW

Job hunting can be a very challenging and frustrating experience and after getting countless 'We regret to inform you…' emails, it becomes very demotivating. However, it's important to keep going and not let your feelings of unworthiness get the better of you.

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Tech recruiter Dean Kulaweera stresses the importance of having a strategy in place when applying for jobs and keeping that momentum. 'You need to exercise the same set of actions no matter how you feel. Keep waking up in the morning, keep carrying out your job search strategy, keep reaching out to recruiters, keep following-up on roles you’ve applied for, keep thinking of new ways to put yourself out there, adjusts , pivot, and go for what you want. Whatever you do, don’t let how you feel stop you from sticking to your process. Be consistent and persistent,' he says.

Here are three ways you can up your game and nail your next interview:

THOROUGHLY PREPARE
Interviewers usually start by giving you an overview of the company, its history, values and culture, but never go in assuming they won't test your knowledge to gauge how much you know about them. Always make a point of doing a thorough online search of the company, looking at its most recent achievements in the industry, campaigns or press releases, and seeing what people have to say about them on company reviewing sites like Glassdoor. You can go a step further by subtly name-dropping recent things you've seen in the media to show them that you've done your homework.

PROVIDE A PROVEN TRACK RECORD
Whenever you talk about your strengths or skills in an interview, you need to be able to back up what you say with tangible results. Employers want evidence that you can walk the walk and not just talk it, which is why it's important to mention specific projects you worked on or challenges you've faced that you were able to overcome. Explain the significance of the project, the results you've earned and how it impacted the company you previously worked for. Then, bring it back to the company you're interviewing at. Emphasise the approach you'll take to replicate those accomplishments and what you can do to produce better results for the company.

ASK QUESTIONS
Many people overlook this part of the interview: 'So, do you have any questions for us?'. This is a crucial part of it as it not only shows your interest in the role being advertised, but helps you gather valuable information that will help you determine if this is a company you really want to work for.

John Lees, a UK-based career strategist and author of How to Get a Job You Love, talks about a simple psychological trick you can use in this moment. Instead of asking the routine question, 'What does a typical day look like for someone in this role look like?', personalise it by asking, 'What would a typical day for me in this role look like?' This small rewording allows the interviewer to envision you in the role, and shows that you're confident about your abilities and serious about the job. Some other sample questions for the interview can include:

• Why has this position become available? Is it due to turnover, internal advancement, or growth?
• What’s the most important thing I should accomplish in the first 90 days of being in this role?
• What’s the performance review process like here? How often would I be formally reviewed?
• What opportunities are there for training and progression?
• What is my superior's management style?
• What are the biggest challenges that I might face in this position?