Knowing how to succeed in a job interview is an essential skill for anyone looking to start or advance their career.
To help you out, Nutrien Ag joins us to share their top tips for interview success, providing valuable advice to make sure you’re ready for your next opportunity when it comes knocking.
Keep reading, and bookmark this page so that you’re fully prepared and confident when your next interview comes along.
First Things First: Research the Company
Understanding both the role and the company or organisation that you’re applying to is crucial.
Start by exploring the organisation’s website. Pay close attention to the company’s mission, values, and culture to understand if they align with your career goals. Delve into their history, key products or services, and read through any recent news or announcements.
Additionally, look into the industry – check out key competitors, market trends, challenges and innovations. Being informed about these aspects will allow you to ask thoughtful questions during your interview and demonstrate your genuine interest and proactive approach.
Know Your Skills
Fully understanding of the position you’re interviewing for will improve the likelihood of success and ensure you feel comfortable and confident. Prepare specific examples of previous work achievements that demonstrate your suitability to the role’s requirements. Practice how you will introduce yourself in the interview and talk through your professional “story” so far.
Answering Interview Questions with the STAR Technique
An interview is a two-way discussion between you and the interviewer – not an interrogation! It’s also as much about you interviewing them as a potential employer as well.
Answer questions honestly, directly and concisely. Listen carefully and ask any thoughtful questions that you may have when appropriate.
The STAR technique comes in handy to help you answer interview questions clearly and succinctly:
- Situation – Describe a situation you were in and set the context. For example, a colleague was struggling with performance.
- Task – Explain your responsibility. For example, I sat down with my colleague to discuss how I could help.
- Action – Describe specific actions that you took. For example, I gave my colleague examples of how I improved my performance.
- Result – Share the outcomes. For example, your colleague’s performance improved dramatically.
Practice answering the following questions using this technique:
- What do you know about Nutrien Ag Solutions?
- What interested you in this role?
Prepare How You Present Yourself
While you’ve been chosen for an interview based on your skills, characteristics, and experience, it’s essential that you look, act and dress professionally in order to land the role.
Whether your interview is in-person or virtual, planning ahead is vital to success.
Quick tips for professional presentation:
- Arrange logistics early: have your clothes, resume, directions to the interview location, or details of the video interview ready to avoid any last-minute stress.
- For virtual interviews, choose, a neutral, distraction-free background, ensure the link to your interview is working and that you are dressed interview-appropriate.
- It’s always better to dress up a little more than dress down. Remember to opt for smart, clean, and properly ironed clothing. Opt for smart shoes over sneakers and get a parent to help if unsure.
- If attending in person, remember to offer everyone a smile in greeting and a firm handshake (if appropriate).
- Don’t forget to send a follow-up thank you email letting the hiring team know you enjoyed meeting them and that the interview confirmed your interest in the role.
- Review your social media profiles to remove or adjust any visible posts that might not look great to a potential employer.
- It can be embarrassing but practicing mock interviews with friends, family or mentors can help you gain confidence!
Common Interview Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Avoid common pitfalls by preparing thoroughly!
- Not doing enough research: Spend adequate time learning about the company and role beforehand.
- Negative body language: Maintain good eye contact, sit up straight, and smile genuinely.
- Not asking questions: Prepare thoughtful questions about the company and the role to demonstrate your genuine interest.
Make Your Next Interview a Success
Preparing thoroughly for an interview not only helps set you up for success but also helps you feel more motivated and confident.
Remember, landing an interview is a fantastic step in itself! It shows you’re on the right track, it’s a good sign to keep doing what you’re doing – keep preparing, stay motivated, and success will follow!
Ready to Learn More About Nutrien Ag?
Reaching every corner of Australia, with a team of 4,000 experts working with farmers to solve challenges, Nutrien Ag Solutions is a globally backed business with a local focus.
Working to provide everything farmers need to grow our world from the ground up, there’s a huge world of careers to explore with Nutrien Ag!
Get started on their employer profile at Explore Careers today.
