Nationwide Building Society: Valuable job interview tips

Valuable interview job tips by Lee at Nationwide.

The phrase 'it's the taking part that counts' is only effective to a certain point here. Ultimately, a race is about competing. When applying for a job or attending an interview, you're also competing. So take a look at our tips for steering your interview in the right direction and if you happen to be competing in the Tour de France there'll be something for you too.

1. Stand a chance

"You miss 100% of the shots you don't take"

You can't win if you're not in the running. A successful Tour de France cyclist can make the process look easy, but they had to start somewhere. Cyclists must be on an elite team to compete, which means experience is a key factor.

So, just like many jobs, becoming a strong candidate to begin with is important. You should make sure that you've built a CV from relevant experience, or angled the skills that you have directly towards the requirements of the role.

2. Plan ahead

"Fail to prepare, prepare to fail"

To avoid problems along the road, you need to do your research. Each stage of the journey could seriously hinder a cyclist's performance, so it's best to be prepared and ready for changes in your environment. This will help to develop a winning strategy.

Similarly, you should go to your interview equipped with as much knowledge surrounding the company as possible. Have a browse at their background, their social media platforms and find out if they have a blog. A broad awareness of the company will help you to tackle any unexpected questions along the way. It also helps to show how passionate you are about the job in front of you. If, like us, they run competency based interviews look up the STAR technique. And last of all, swap the word 'we' for the word I, the interviewer needs to know exactly what you did. This is the one time you need to have an ego, but only take credit for the things you did.

3. Believe you can win

"Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will"

Both opportunities are challenging yet rewarding. In a strenuous race, your limits will be tested and without a strong mind set, your emotions could hold you back.

If you convince yourself that you can succeed, you're far more likely to push yourself to do well, whether it's in a race or an interview. This will also be easier if you know you've put in the time and effort to prepare, as you will feel as though you deserve to win.

So there you have it. Whether you're planning on winning the Tour de France or just hoping your next job interview runs smoothly, our tips should help to motivate you to reach your goal. It's a simple process of preparation, research and putting your hard work into action with a positive mind set. Good luck from Nationwide!

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