Interviews with less than 48 hours notice — help!
Tags: Job Interview Preparation, Job Interview Tips, Job Hunting, Interview Preperation, Job Interview

Ok. So you got that call and at the time you thought sure, interview in 2 days time, no problem. Even if you’re unavailable, you’ve made it clear you will do anything to be free for this interview. Cue panic mode!

Alright. Take five deep breaths, or anything that helps to clear your head. I heard what doesn’t kill only makes you stronger, yes not dramatic at all.

Below you will see a list of steps to help you breeze through this interview ring of fire, and hopefully land you this new gig:

Research, Research, Research. Get your google search on. Research the company, the department of the role, and who will be on the interview panel. If they havent told you, ask. Research the panel on LinkedIn (in cognito mode off course). If you dont’t get a clear sense of what the team do, be prepared to ask this at interview. For the next 48 hours you need to know the job description and person specification of that job, inside-out. Read it at least 5 times. Make note on any tasks that stick out as critical. You should find the essential critera to do the job well in the person specification section. Make note of any questions you have that can’t be answered from the JD and person spec. If the answer is not in the JD or person spec, then bingo, you’ve got some inspiration for the dreaded ‘do you have any questions for us’ at interview and won’t be coming up blank. *Tip — always bring written notes with you to interview. You can ask at the beginning of the interview if you’re allowed to take this with you. 98% of the time, panel members will say yes, as long as it’s not a ring binder of notes! (No longer than A4 is recommended). Review any examples provided in your supporting statement demonstrating you meet the essential (and desirable if applicable) criteria listed in the person spec.

This doesnt just have to come from work experience, but other appropriate activities that demonstrate a skill set. I.e, essential criteria requires someone who is organised. You can mention how you plan and coordinate a yearly charity event.

7. Expand these examples and follow the Situation, Task, Action, Result method. Have at least 3 examples ready to explain.

8. Reading the job description again, select the most relevant and applicable example(s) for each criteria. If the STAR example applies to one or more criteria, even better.

9. Record your examples on a voice recorder and sense check on if you are clear, detailed and succint.

10. Come up with at least five questions for the panel, as this allows them to see that you are highly engaged for the role. One of the questions to include is ‘are there any questions that I haven’t addressed or anything in my cv/application that you would like to know more about?’

Finally, check your interview details, be sure you know where you need to go, what time to be there, and if there’s anything you need to bring with you at interview. Plan a simple outfit, as you won’t have as much time to plan.

Although it may not feel like it, where panick would make other candidates say forget it, you took the chance and made it to interview. Regardless of the outcome, at least you have a plan of action if you’re invited to another short notice interview :)

Let me know if any of the tips above actually helped. Or, if there is something that you think, hmmm didn’t quite work for me. Good luck!