Applying for a Job and Interview Preparation

You may be seeking your first job, a new opportunity, or even a career change. Whichever it is, it will start with the completion of an application, online or paper, and will hopefully progress to an interview and job offer. Firstly, I will look at the application process and then, secondly, the interview process. I have looked at this from the perspective of a Hostage Negotiator. Why from this perspective I hear you ask. Well, Hostage Negotiation and job applications are both about identifying the wants and needs of the other side and through the skilled use of words, written and spoken, achieving influence in the decisions of others. In the Hostage Negotiation world, the goal is the safe return of a hostage; in the job application world, the goal is securing that job offer.

Part One – The Application

Most job applications I have looked at, as part of my research, are completed online and are very focused on what is being looked for. In addition, the use of talent selection algorithms in the candidate sifting process is becoming more common too. The use of algorithms at any point in the selection process may sound worrying but let me reassure you that this may benefit you once you understand the rules for submitting a strong application that gets beyond that sift and onto the desk of the individual responsible for hiring. Do not underestimate the importance of the application, so take your time, do your preparation, and review everything before hitting the submit button. The prospective employer wants and needs strong applicants so will make the process as simple and as transparent as possible. The author of the advert will have gone to great lengths to eliminate ambiguity. The job advert will be published with a simple high-level description of the role to include job title, role overview, indicative salary band, benefits, location, hours, full-time, part-time, suitable for jobshare, closing date, etc.

The accompanying notes that you should examine in detail are:

The Person Specification

This is often the ‘must haves’ and sets out the qualifications, experience, occupational skills, key competencies, and other selection criteria which an applicant must possess to do the job. Selection criteria can be regulatory requirements, membership of a professional body, educational level, etc.,or in rare cases where an exemption under equalities legislation exists.

The Role Requirement

This typically focuses on the soft skills and personal qualities that are aligned with the successful delivery of the role. This could include experience in the use of commonplace software and qualities such as dedication, patience, customer satisfaction, resilience, diligence, flexibility, supervisory responsibilities, etc. Once you have read these thoroughly and, after some self-reflection, can match yourself to the Person Specification and Role Requirement you then move on to completing the application form. This is where you need to think like a Hostage Negotiator. Look for the keywords that describe the competencies being sought and ensure that you have evidence that you can meet them. Imagine the advert being read out loud to you and listen out for those keywords and hooks. You are selling yourself and you should stay focused on that objective. If the application asks for free text answers to a competency-based question, I have previously used the STAR system. This will provide a more structured answer affording you the opportunity to evidence competency.

Using STAR

S – Situation

This describes the context for your actions relevant to the evidence of competency asked for.

T – Task

This is where you describe the task you had to perform to achieve an objective.

A – Action

This is where you describe what you did in the context of the Situation and Task.

R – Result

This is where you conclude with a description of the outcome of your actions and why they were successful.

‍Writing Style

Make good use of the ‘first person’ such as I managed…., I led…., I developed…., I instigated… etc. This application is about you and what you did and less about what a

team or we did.

Keep your answer focused, don’t ramble off-topic or be vague.

Use power verbs and strong descriptive words.

Ensure your example is matched to the competencies.

Okay, your application is complete, you’ve checked it twice and hit the submit button. The next step is interview preparation followed by interview participation.

Part Two – The Interview

Whether this is in person or online the time you spend preparing is the same. Some of the advice I will share will seem obvious but consider every element as part of the process and an opportunity to show you are the best candidate.

‍In-Person Interview.

Plan your journey to the interview and build in some extra time in case of unexpected delays. Better to be early than late.

Have a contact number for the interviewer in case you need to let them know of an unexpected delay.

From the moment you leave your home, get your game face on. Be polite and respectful to everyone you meet during the journey from your home to sitting in the interview as you never know who will be on the panel.

‍Online Interview.

Test your equipment at home. It is your responsibility to make sure the tech works. Always test your kit beforehand and be confident in its use. No one wants the “you are on mute” or “your camera’s off” comment from the interviewer.

Make sure you have a quiet space to yourself for the interview and think about the background. You do not want anything to distract the attention of the interviewer.

Think about how you will be lit. A small Ring Light is a sound investment.

Check your online profile. An employer may conduct a social media search prior to conducting an interview or making a job offer.

Think about how your social media accounts look to a prospective employer.

Upgrading your privacy settings prior to applying could prevent unwanted viewing of your accounts.

‍Research the employer.

Go into the interview with a good knowledge of the company. It gives you confidence and tells the employer that you are serious about the job.

Find out about the employer’s history, what it does and has achieved any current news or campaigns, and who its competitors or partners are.

Make a list of key points that you can quickly refer to if you get stuck. It will help you make your interview answers more relevant to the employer.

‍Think about the questions.

Look again at the job advert to remind yourself what the employer is looking for.

Look over your application and look for predictable questions that may arise from it.

In the Hostage Negotiator world, we call this ‘predictable dialogue’, and allows you to prepare well-structured responses in advance.

‍Prepare your answers.  

Spend some time thinking about the answers you could give that best evidence your skills and competencies.

Use the STAR system when providing your answers. This structure ensures you get the right information across.

Make notes – just a few keywords to remind you what you want to say.

‍Practice your answers.

Rehearse your responses. No matter how confident you are, nerves can get the better of anyone once they are in an interview.

Practice saying your answers out loud to a friend or family member or try a mock interview. It can really help you to stay calm and build your confidence.

‍How to dress.

Whether in person or online you should want to look smart,clean, and professional.

Many organisations have casual dress codes in the workplace, but the interview is, in my opinion, not the time for your favourite band t-shirt and a pair of well-worn jeans.

The next step you take is either through the door to the interview room or to click the call button on the Video Calling App.

‍Interview participation considerations.

Taking a few deep breaths before you begin will calm your nerves.

What you say and how confidently you say it is important in any interview, but this could be lost if your body language is contradicting.

Make eye contact, smile, and sit upright.

Guard against sitting too casually, not making eye contact, and fidgeting.

Actively demonstrate you are listening with the occasional nod.

If there is water provided use it if you need to, that’s what it is there for. 

Always take a beat before you answer as this will give you time to think. Taking a moment allows you to control your breathing which will slow down the pace of you speech.

Use holding phrases to buy time to think. For example,saying ‘that’s a really interesting question, can I take a moment to think about it?’ can give you time to collect your thoughts and articulate a better answer.

If you do not understand the question, ask for it to be repeated or reframed. It is better to seek clarification than give an answer that is off-topic.

Have a question to ask the interviewer at the end. If you can’t think of any, suggestions could include asking what the team you would be working with is like.

It is also reasonable to ask when and how you should expect to hear the interviewer’s decision.

Lastly, remember to thank the interviewer for their time and the opportunity. If you are successful at the interview embrace the new role and show the employer they made the right choice. If you do not secure that new role you should ask for feedback as this can help to identify areas for improvement.

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