Interviews can be intimidating. However, we know that they’re also a chance for you to get to know the employer, as much as it is a chance for them to get to know you. Our expert team have pulled together their top tips on impressing employers and making the most of interviews in the creative industries…
Make sure you do your research
The key to preparation is knowledge and you can only get that knowledge through research. Homework about your target industry or organisation is never wasted time!
The ‘STARR’ method is a great way to showcase your past success
STARR stands for situation, task, action, result & reflection. In simple terms, describe a particular challenge, your responsibilities in relation to it, the steps you took to address the challenge – and finally the positive outcome and what it taught you.
Visualise yourself in the role
Building on your cover letter, think about how you will be a good fit for the specific tasks outlined on the original advert.
Talk about what you’d love to learn from the role
As well as demonstrating what you can already do, your potential employer will know that you are invested if you’re asking about what opportunities there will be to gain new skills and experiences.
Flag any reasonable adjustments that are needed
Get in touch with the employer if you require adjustments to make your interview more accessible. Examples include wheelchair access, a different format for documents, or more time on an interview test.
You can read more about our advice on reasonable adjustments here.
Plan ahead so there’s no need to worry about logistics on the day
With an in-person interview, leave plenty of time to arrive at the destination and make sure you have any details about where to go. If the interview is online, test out your video call software with a friend if you haven’t used it before.
Remember to breathe
A lot of people find interviews stressful or anxiety-inducing to some degree. If this is something you’re struggling with, this might be a helpful time to learn more about mindfulness, breathing exercises, meditation, self-compassionate & other techniques to ground yourself. And don’t forget that an interview is ultimately a conversation where all sides are looking for a positive outcome.
Reflect
An interview is an exciting opportunity but as with anything, practice makes perfect. Even if the outcome isn’t what you wanted, it’s a fantastic chance to learn something new and build towards your goals.