How to: Ace the interview
Kristina Gerdov • December 3, 2024
Nailing an interview requires more than just showing up and answering some questions. It’s about preparation, presenting yourself in a way that leaves a lasting impression and following up well. Here’s our top tips to help you ace your next interview!
Get the prep right
Before you even step into the interview (or join the video call), a bit of research can go a long way.
- Know who you’re meeting: Take a moment to look up your interviewers on LinkedIn. Do they have any recent posts or accomplishments that can give you insights into their current projects or interests? You can also ask your recruiter for some background on their style and what to expect. It’s never nice anticipating a conversational style interview when in fact you could be meeting with a panel with behavioural style interview questions.
- Research the company: You should know what the company does and have a sense of their service offering or products. If they have a storefront or physical presence, check it out if you can. Be sure to familiarise yourself with any recent achievements, such as awards, and consider why you’re excited about the opportunity.
- Understand the role: Go over the job description thoroughly. Using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), prepare examples for each of the key skills the job requires. This will help you demonstrate that you’re a great fit for the role.
- Develop your key point agenda – more on this to come!
During the Interview
It’s showtime!
Here’s how to make the best impression once you’re in the interview.
- Sharing your experience: Interviewers want to hear about specific projects you’ve worked on. Choose 2-3 key projects to discuss in detail, again using the STAR approach to provide structure.
- The STAR approach:
Situation: Briefly explain the background of the project or challenge you faced.
Task: Outline the task or objective you were given.
Action: Describe what actions you took personally, and what the team did overall.
Result: Wrap it up by highlighting the results or learnings from the experience.
- Ask thoughtful questions: Not just about the role but also about the company and don’t save all your questions for the end or wait to be asked; asking them throughout the interview shows that you’re engaged.
- Your key point agenda: What are the 3-5 things you want to make sure you communicate during the interview? These are likely to be the main reasons you think you’re an awesome fit for the role.
- If you have the opportunity to proactively share this information, rather than waiting to be asked a question that relates, you’ll make sure you’re walking away knowing that you put your best foot forward.
- The essentials: Arrive 5-10 minutes early, dress appropriately, and come with a notebook and pen. Have your key points and questions written down, so you’re ready to make the most of the opportunity.
- For video interviews: If it’s a video interview, present yourself professionally. Choose a quiet, distraction-free environment, dress as you would for an in-person interview and maintain eye contact by looking into the camera. Keep your hands busy by taking notes—this helps you stay focused and engaged.
Follow Up
The interview doesn’t end when you leave the room or close the video call. Following up can be just as important as the interview itself.
- Send a brief thank-you note: Within 24 hours, send a personalised thank-you email. Not only does this show appreciation for their time, it’s also an opportunity to reinforce your interest in the role. Keep it polite and brief, however, if you felt you forgot to mention something or wanted to clarify a point further, this is your opportunity.
- Check in with your recruiter: If you’re working with a recruiter, get in touch to share your feedback and they will be able to give you an understanding of when you’re likely to receive feedback from the organisation, along with next steps.
- Ask about next steps and the hiring timeline.
By following these steps, you’ll be well-prepared, make a strong impact during the interview, and leave the kind of lasting impression that could land you the job.
Get in touch with your iknowho talent partner if you’d like more tailored advice, we’re here to help!
For many growing businesses, marketing is often something that gets added to the to-do list of already busy managers or existing teams. A social post here, an email there, and maybe a campaign when there’s time. But without dedicated expertise, marketing rarely delivers the consistency and commercial results your brand needs to grow. If you’ve been wondering whether it’s time to bring in a dedicated marketing resource, here are the key things to consider and how to ensure your first hire is set up for success. 1. The Telltale signs If your demand generation has stalled, you’re struggling to convert interest into sales, or your brand presence feels disjointed, it’s time to stop relying on ad-hoc efforts. A dedicated marketer can build and execute a strategic plan that drives consistent results and positions your brand for long-term growth. 2. What to avoid It can be tempting to look for a “jack-of-all-trades” who can do a little bit of everything. The reality? Even the most talented marketer will struggle without clear goals and defined outcomes on what the business is looking to achieve. Hiring without clarity can lead to underwhelming results and frustration on both sides. Be specific about the expertise you need and the outcomes you expect. 3. Why this hire is so important to get right Your first marketing hire is more than just another role, it often lays the foundation for your brands future growth engine. The right hire can build momentum and shape how your future team evolves. The wrong hire however, can stall progress, waste budget, and leave you back at square one. 4. Fractional vs full-time Not quite ready for a permanent commitment? Fractional marketers can be a great short-term solution to get things moving while you build the case for a full-time hire. Just be clear on their remit. Fractional marketers are ideal for campaigns, projects, or interim support, but they’re not typically suited to long-term brand building or team development. 5. What kind of marketer do you actually need? Marketing as a discipline is broad, as are the tools used to reach your desired target audience. Do you need someone to drive digital acquisition, manage partnerships, develop content, or build brand strategy? Start by clarifying your business’s biggest priorities and pain points, then match the skillset accordingly. The clearer you are upfront, the better the outcome. 6. How to set them up for success Hiring the right person is only half the job. To see results and maximum impact, you need to set your new hire up for success. This means: Clear KPIs so they know what good Vs great looks like The marketing tools and access to the resources they need to deliver Integration into cross-functional conversations with key decision-makers from day one Bec Godkin, Senior Talent Partner says “Marketing can’t succeed in a silo. The deeper your marketer is connected across the business and understands the various levers that shape success, the greater their impact will be” Hiring your first marketer is an exciting step - it signals growth, ambition, and the desire to build something bigger. By being clear on what you need, avoiding common pitfalls, and setting your hire up for success, you’ll give your business the best chance to thrive. At iknowho , we specialise in helping brands make their first marketing hire. If you’d like to talk through what kind of marketer is right for your business, we’re here to help.
Discover what a Fractional CMO is, the benefits they bring, and how to know if hiring one is the right move for your business.
In 2025, personal branding isn't just a buzzword – it's important for anyone navigating the job market. The uncomfortable truth is this; you're likely being Googled more often than you're being interviewed. In a digital-first world, your personal brand can potentially boost your career prospects. So how can you leverage it to stand out during your job hunt? 1. Your brand is what people say when you're not in the room Personal branding isn’t just about the polished version of yourself that you post on LinkedIn. It’s what others say about you when you’re not around. Consider how you’re being perceived online and offline. Is your brand consistent, authentic, and aligned with your career aspirations? What would potential employers say about you when they Google you? To start refining your personal brand, think about your values, your goals, and how you want others to perceive you. This means showcasing your strengths, yes, but also acknowledging your struggles and learning moments. Authenticity can give you a competitive edge. 2. Lead with curiosity, not just expertise Publicly asking thoughtful, insightful questions. It positions you as someone who is constantly learning, open to feedback, and not afraid to explore new ideas – a thought provoker and idea leader in your space. In the job hunt, this quality can set you apart from others who might be more focused on offering answers than asking the right questions. So, when you’re engaging with others online or in an interview, try focusing on asking questions that spark deeper discussions. Your curiosity and willingness to learn can make a lasting impression. 3. Your personal brand is about becoming known for the right things Remember, personal branding isn’t about trying to become famous. It’s about being known for the right things – the things that align with your career goals and the value you want to offer to employers. For job seekers, this means ensuring that your online presence and interactions reflect your expertise, passion, and ambition. When crafting your personal brand, be deliberate. Think about the skills, values, and personality traits you want to highlight. 4. Be consistent and intentional The foundation of a strong personal brand is consistency. Your personal brand is built in the small, everyday actions – how you engage with your network. Consistency in your interactions helps shape how people perceive you and helps create a brand that’s memorable. If you're job hunting, it's critical to show up consistently both online and offline. This includes engaging with industry professionals on LinkedIn, contributing to discussions, and demonstrating professionalism in all your interactions. 5. Small steps to narrow the gap So, what's the gap between how you see yourself and how others might perceive you? The goal isn’t perfection, but making small, consistent adjustments that move you closer to aligning your internal brand with how you’re seen externally. It could be tweaking your LinkedIn profile, starting a blog, or sharing your expertise. What’s one small thing you could do this week to move the needle and narrow that gap? Whether it’s posting a thoughtful comment on a relevant post, reaching out to someone in your industry, or sharing a story of a recent challenge, small actions can have a big impact over time. 6. Share struggles, Not just wins When it comes to personal branding, it’s easy to fall into the trap of only sharing successes. However, some of the most credible personal brands are built on transparency – sharing the struggles and lessons learned along the way. It’s interesting to see how you handle setbacks, not just your triumphs. Embracing imperfection in your personal brand helps paint a fuller picture of who you are. Whether it’s sharing a challenging project you worked on or a time when you faced a setback and how you overcame it, these stories can help demonstrate your resilience, problem-solving abilities, and growth mindset – qualities employers are eager to see. In today’s market, personal branding isn’t just a nice-to-have. By being intentional, consistent, and authentic, you can build a personal brand that resonates with potential employers, ultimately setting you up for success in your job hunt. So, there’s no better time to start than now.
