Tip No.9:
Why You're Not Getting Past First Stage Interviews
Youβve applied, youβve interviewedβ¦ and then nothing. No second stage. No offer. Just frustration.
Often, itβs not that you couldnβt do the job - itβs how you presented yourself in that first conversation. Hereβs the feedback Iβve heard most often from hiring managers:
1. Vague answers
- One of the most frequent comments is: βThey talked a lot, but I still donβt know what they actually did.β
- Be specific. Share a project, what you personally delivered, and the outcome. Structure makes your experience more memorable. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
Be specific: βI delivered X project that achieved Y resultβ lands much better than βI was involved in lots of projects.β
2. Lack of preparation
- Hiring managers spot this instantly. Research the company, the role, and the people youβre meeting. A bit of research shows effort - and effort stands out.
3. Poor structure
- Waffling or going off track is a killer. Keep your answers clear and to the point. Think about setting the context, explaining your actions, and ending with the result.
4. Underselling yourself
βI was involved inβ¦β can undersell your contribution. Own your work! βI deliveredβ or βI achievedβ shows confidence, not arrogance.
First stage interviews arenβt about perfection. Theyβre about showing who you are, what youβve achieved, and how you can add value.
