If you are an eCommerce professional who is looking to secure your dream role, you need to understand how to make a good impression at an interview. Here are our top tips…
General Job Interview Tips.
Preparation is the key!
Practice and repetition help boost your confidence. Jarvis Cole are the leaders in eCommerce recruitment, and therefore if you read through and implement our tips, then you’re already far ahead of most potential candidates in landing your dream eCommerce role.
Research The Company
Show your potential employer it is their brand you want to work for! You should go into the interview with a clear understanding of the company, including their values, and what the job you are applying for entails.
Review Key Interview Questions
By Googling common interview questions, you can find dozens of smart ways to answer just about anything, even the dreaded, “So, tell me about yourself.” Also, be prepared to answer any questions about your social media presence.
Prepare a good question
You should ALWAYS ask questions during your interview. It shows your interest and your willingness to learn more about the brand and fully immerse yourself.
Such questions include:
• What other questions can I answer to help you decide if I’m the right fit?
• What skills do I need to excel at this job?
Drive To The Location First – if the interview is in person
You can never predict traffic congestion on the day of your interview and want to be on time. Use a mapping app and figure out how long it will take you, then tack on an extra 30 minutes to be safe. Travel to the location a day or so ahead of time, so you feel comfortable with the route.
Dress Smart
It will show the hiring manager you are serious about the job. Looking smart demonstrates an instant level of professionalism and care.
Keep Eye Contact
Keeping eye contact is an essential mannerism needed to build a relationship with the eCommerce hiring manager and to be perceived as being interested in the conversation.
Practice with friends or family
Practice makes perfect. Run through interview questions and answers with a friend or family member. It also helps to run through your answers in the shower or in front of a mirror as you get ready. It may not seem like it, but practice helps cement your words so you’ll be ready to deliver!
End the Interview in The Right Way
In all interviews, the ending of an interview is crucial in the overall picture the eCommerce hiring manager develops of you. This tends to be a period of time where the eCommerce hiring manager either confirms he feels you are the right fit for the position or that you are not in line with what the company are looking for.
To ensure you give the manager reasons to hire you, we suggest that you summarise your main points you made during the interview. These may include what you would bring to the organisation or how you have previously demonstrated your skills.
Following this, you should ask any questions that you may have and ask if they have any for you.
Virtual Job Interview Tips
Keep Eye Contact
Maintaining eye contact during a video interview is significantly harder than a face-to-face interview.
It is tempting to look at the video feed as opposed to the interviewer’s eyes, but you must look straight into the camera. If you do not do this, it will seem as though you are looking in a different direction. This will make you seem disinterested, and this is not an impression you want to make.
Make sure that you are interviewed in a quiet place
You do not want to be interrupted during your video interview, as this will put you and the eCommerce hiring manager off. To avoid this, you need to ensure that you choose the right interview environment. This environment will be quiet, distraction free and have a good internet connection!
Be Prepared Technically
We have all been on a call where the quality of the technology used really impairs our understanding of the content they are delivering. You do not want this to be you at an interview!
The quality of a video interview experience is heavily dependent on the technology that is used.
For this reason, we suggest that you test all the technology you will be using. For example, check you know how to use zoom and understanding the virtual ‘waiting room’ system. To be prepared further, we recommend you understand a further software you could use, such as google meets, in case you or the eCommerce hiring manager experiences any technological difficulties.
You should also check that the audio on your computer is clear, as this could mean the interviewer cannot understand you.
Internet connection needs to be tested prior to the call and you must sit somewhere the connection is strong. If there is any problem with the connection during the interview, ensure that you make the eCommerce hiring manager is aware.