Job Interview Advice We've Learned from Twitter
By Matthew Ward, Founder and Director5 July 2021
We wouldn't recommend building your entire interview prep around social media, but some genuinely useful advice does surface there among the noise. Here's a handful of pieces worth keeping in mind before your next interview.
Standing out, asking questions that reveal genuine culture fit, and handling the post-interview wait with patience matter more to interview success than most candidates expect.
Focus on standing out, genuinely
At every stage of an application, it's worth asking yourself whether what you're doing will actually be memorable. Being specific about your experience and goals helps, but so does simply being personable, kind, outgoing, genuinely helpful. A recruiter isn't only checking your skills, they're weighing whether you're the right fit for the team, so let some personality come through.
Ask questions that actually matter to you
Plan questions in advance rather than treating the interview as one-directional. Working hard through an application only to discover the culture isn't right for you is a waste of everyone's time. Get clear on what you actually want from a workplace, flexibility, collaboration across teams, room to grow, and ask about those things directly. Worth considering: are there development opportunities? How is performance measured? What does the day-to-day actually look like? What's the hardest part of the role? How does the business approach inclusion and diversity?
Handle the wait with patience
If an interviewer gives you a specific date they'll be in touch, don't chase before then, it can come across as not having listened. If no timeline was given and it's been a while, a polite check-in is perfectly reasonable and shows genuine interest, without tipping into pressure.
Trust that you've earned the interview
Job applications keep getting longer and more involved, CVs, cover letters, portfolios, tests. If you've made it to interview stage, the employer already has a good sense you could be right for the role. Push back on imposter syndrome, prepare properly, and go in ready to prove it rather than convince yourself out of the opportunity beforehand.
Show your impact, not just your responsibilities
Being specific about what you actually achieved, not just what you were responsible for, makes it far easier for an interviewer to picture you doing the job well. Practising how you talk about your successes beforehand tends to come across as genuine confidence rather than rehearsed.
Give yourself permission to step away
Job hunting takes a toll, especially through rejection or silence. Taking a proper break when it's needed matters more than pushing through for the sake of it.
If you're looking to build genuine marketing experience alongside your search, get in touch with Lead Kinetics, we're always happy to talk it through. For more on the preparation side, see the secret to preparing for a job interview.
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