Here’s how to ace that job interview

Have you ever applied for a job that you were undoubtedly qualified for, did the interview but never got to hear from the prospective employer again?

Let’s flip the coin. Have you ever applied for a job you were not qualified for, yet to your surprise, you were hired?

Today, employers consider much more than one’s academic qualifications; they are of course looking for experience, but besides that, they also want a confident, self-assured person that looks the part.

So, how do you stand out and create a lasting image in that make or break interview? We sought the insight of image and etiquette experts, Nthenya Macharia, the founder of Nthenya the Brand Inc., and Derek Bhanga, an image strategist, and the Managing Director of Public Image Africa.

To ace that interview and get the job of your dreams, they say, you need to convey confidence, capability, self-assuredness, and leave a lasting image in the minds of the interviewing panel.

VALUABLE LESSONS WE HAVE LEARNT IN OUR JOB SEARCH

Dress to make an impact
Nthenya says:

“Fifty-five per cent of people judge you based on your dressing. The fact is that how you dress conveys clues about your personality, education, background, credibility and financial status. When preparing for an interview, the first step that you ought to take is research on the culture of that company. Understand what it is they allow and what they frown on. If they have corporate colours, wear them if you can pull it off. Also note that it would work against you if you showed up wearing a competitive brand’s colours’, whether you know it or not.

If the role you’re being interviewed for is a professional one, a suit works best for both men and women. For the men, I would advise wearing a dark blue suit, white shirt and a red tie. In the corporate world, a red tie is considered a power tie; it conveys strength and passion, while dark blue coveys confidence and power. Ensure that your lace up shoes and belt match - lace up shoes exude professionalism.

For the young ladies, going for a dark blue suit that is neither too short nor too tight is safest. A pair of high heels helps to enhance your posture, but go easy on the heel - avoid heels that are too high or uncomfortable to walk in.”

Derek says:

“Whether applying for a job in a law firm or in a modelling agency, dress for the interview with an “A” game in mind. Your dress code should follow three F’s: Fit, Fabric and Functional. Your dressing should not be too tight or too loose. The fabric need not be expensive, but it needs to look good on the eye.”

Grooming

Nthenya says:

“Besides your dressing, pay attention to your grooming as well. Good grooming habits shows that you are meticulous and organised, and care about how you look. For the guys, get a good shave, keep your nails short and avoid over-powering perfume. For the young ladies, it goes without saying that your hair should be well coiffed. For nails, avoid the fancy loud colours that are in vogue and settle for neutral colours; the last thing you want is for your nails to distract the panel from what you are saying. Have well-defined eyebrows, wear subtle lipstick, and go for minimal jewellery. Also avoid bulky handbags.”

Derek says:

“My motto is, no matter what the occasion is, formal and informal, be neat and presentable because you never know who you might bump into.”

Social media etiquette

Derek says:

“When it comes to social media, use it strategically, and to your advantage. Your various social media platforms should advance your interests and brand. As much as it is your timeline, remember that people can still have access to your posts. Before sharing anything, think of what other people will think of you when they see the posts.

I advise young people to uphold the rule of the three R’s -restraint, respect and responsible. When posting on social media platforms, I am intentional and endeavor to showcase my brand out there, such that when someone goes through my posts, they can already tell what kind of person I am and what I am able to offer.

Nthenya says:

“Nowadays, most prospective employers will go through your social media platforms in a quest to unearth you. Woe unto you if your posts, comments and tags are a put off. It is important that you use social media responsibly because that could determine whether you get hired or not. Also, when you reach out to someone you look up to for mentorship, chances are that this person will look you up on social media before deciding whether or not to mentor you. Also be professional in how you write and respond to emails, as well as in your phone conversations. If you include signature quotes in your emails, stop doing it because it depicts unprofessionalism, and rarely do the quotes add value to the message or serve the intended purpose you had in mind.”

Public Speaking and Presentation Skills

Derek says:

“To stand before an audience and make a presentation is a moment that most young people dread because most lack the proper skills of delivering a good presentation, yet it is a useful and powerful tool in business and some career paths, say marketing.

To ace a presentation, you need to prepare, practice and perform. Often, when requested to do something that is out of your routine, the body releases cortisol, a stress hormone. The result is nervousness. To counter that, take deep breaths in between the presentations and slowdown in your speech while maintaining good eye contact with your audience. Your voice also plays a big role when making a presentation.

To keep the audience interested, ensure that you have the right tonal variation and pitch. To achieve this, you need to hear how you sound like by recording yourself and noting the areas that you need to improve on.”

Nthenya says:

When making a presentation, give it your best, and if you make a mistake, do not feel bad about it. It is a learning chance for you.

How to network effectively

Nthenya says:

“When attending a networking session, or if you find yourself in a gathering of people that might be of benefit to you in your career, have a strategy in mind before you approach them. While at it, bear in mind that there are several other people in there seeking the attention of the same people.

Whatever you do, avoid controversial subjects, especially those that are bound to draw heated opinions, for instance religion and politics, unless it is part of the day’s agenda. Also note that your non-verbal cues speak louder than words. Pay attention to your body language and work to get rid of nervous cues”

Derek says:

“Should you happen to be in the same room with someone you would like mentorship from, do not approach them with, “I want you to mentor me,” phrase. Approach it differently, for instance, you can request to volunteer at their events or offer services such as social media marketing. The point is to get them to remember you. Also talk about your accomplishments - you might be what they are looking for.

When interacting with others, make eye contact, smile and maintain open body language. Crossing your arms while speaking to someone, for instance, might convey defensiveness.

Also keep your phone away while in such gatherings. Holding your phone or constantly scrolling through it is distracting and conveys disinterest in what is going on around you or happening.

Improve your self-confidence
Nthenya says:

“I have met hundreds of young people with impeccable skills, yet they cannot express themselves with confidence in an interview or during a networking session. To build your self-confidence, you need to understand the factors that lower it and work to banish them. If you cannot do it yourself, seek experts’ help.

How to brand yourself:
Derek says:

Look at yourself as if you were a big institution and present yourself in that manner. In whatever you do, make strategic choices and gain the knowledge of soft skills such as public speaking.

If you fail to improve on your personal branding, you might need to work harder to get that job or get someone willing to mentor you. Lastly, develop success habits. Have a definite purpose, be knowledgeable and be productive.
Nthenya says:

“What do you wish people to associate you with when your name is mentioned? Is there a subject matter that you wish to be perceived as an expert in? Having a reputable personal brand is one of the key elements to succeed in business, your career, and life in general.

Brian Wamugi
Age: 23 years
Studying language and communication at the University of Nairobi

“Earlier this year, I was called for an interview for an internship opportunity in a public relations company in Nairobi. I had not met some of the qualifications the advertisement had asked for - they were looking for an intern in their fourth year of study and one who was conversant with accounting packages and marketing. Being in my third year with absolutely no experience in operating accounting software and only a little experience in marketing, I knew that my chances of getting the position were slim. I went anyway.

On the interview day, I walked into a roomful of students from my university and other institutions who were in their fourth year and well acquainted with accounting packages. When one of the interviewers asked about my accounting skills, I said that I was familiar with software such as Sage and Pastel. I almost fainted when he requested that I demonstrate how the two work, but I quickly quelled the spreading panic and said that it would take me about an hour to manoeuvre through them since I had not used any of them in a while.

I was sure that I had failed the interview until the director of the company complimented my eloquence and my dressing - I was in a suit. He then told me that they were looking for someone who will look the part. Out of the seven interviewees who had attended the interview, only two of us were selected. Most of the unlucky interviewees had showed up in t-shirts and sports shoes.”

Lorine Akinyi

Age: 23

Occupation: Supply and Procurement department, Sports Kenya

“I have a diploma in supply chain and management from Zetech University. Several times, I have landed jobs that I did not qualify for because of how well I presented myself. This experience stands out though.

When I completed my diploma in April this year, I applied for a position in the procurement departments of several companies and parastatals. Eventually, I was called for an interview by Sports Kenya. Most of my fellow interviewees had degrees, some even master’s degrees and many years of experience. I felt inferior and was even tempted to leave, but on second thought, I decided to brave the interview.

I was dressed in a smart suit that day and had carefully updated my resume. I decided to give it my best and managed to fight the feeling of inferiority that had crept in earlier. When I went in, I spoke of my past roles and accomplishments with lots of confidence, and could tell the interviewers were impressed. The following morning, I got a call telling me that I had gotten the job.

I am only three months into my new role, and I am grateful that my employer looked beyond my papers. Many of my peers have missed job opportunities due to lack of confidence and  poor personal branding, while others have got them simply due to how well they package themselves during an interview.”

Wawira Mutegi
Age: 26
Occupation: Financial analyst and content writer

“Poor eye contact and attention almost cost me a job. When I was called in for the interview, I panicked and lost focus as the panel of four interviewers; three gents and a lady, were introducing themselves. The lady noted that I had lost focus and requested that I repeat their names. I got that of the men but couldn’t recall hers. She made a rude joke, but instead of getting offended, I laughed and politely responded to her joke, which elicited laughter all round.

At the end of the interview, the panel told me that although I had poor attention skills, they were impressed by my ability to handle negativity and turn it into positivity.

They gave me the job, an accounts assistant position, and urged me to work on that weakness, which I have since gotten rid of.”

Nicholas Ngatia
Age: 24
Local Pathways fellow with United Nations Sustainable Development Solutions Network (UN SDSN Youth)

“My first time at the United Nations office at Nairobi was in 2015 during the 25th session of the UN Habitat Governing Council.

I was a student at Multimedia University then and did not bother to dress up - I showed up in a pair of baggy shorts and a colourful t-shirt that had a huge portrait of a female rapper, Nicki Minaj. My hair was also long and unkempt.

While picking my badge, the lady on the reception  told me that I should have dressed better, but in my mind, I dismissed her as stuffy and living in the past. When I showed up the following morning, however with an almost similar outfit, I was not even allowed into the compound. That experience was an eye opener for me. It taught me the importance of dressing for the occasion.

Some of my friends argue that Mark Zuckerberg, the Founder of Facebook, attends important meetings wearing a t- shirt and jeans. So why shouldn’t he? What they do not understand is that he has already built his brand and can therefore afford to wear whatever he wants.

Personal branding is important to me; I have realised that to be taken seriously, I need to show up dressed to impress.”