Interviewing Essentials was a candid and lively session, with guidance from sector leaders on how to ace your next interview. Led by Future of GM’s Lisa Taylor, we focused on practical tips and engaging discussions to help participants navigate interviews successfully. Participants also shared real-life examples of when things have gone well (or not so well!) during interviews.
I joined volunteer mentors Ru Anwar, Partner at Trowers & Hamlins; Najwa Jawahar, Associate Director of Design Management at WSP; Anne Parkes, Associate Director at Arup to share insight from our respective sectors interview styles and expectations. Whether you’re aiming for your next role or leading interviews for your organisation, the session provided the essential tools – and the resources here can help if you missed it.
Highlights
Key takeaways for an effective interview:
- Prepare for standard questions: 5-year goals, strengths & gaps, proudest achievements and key experiences. Practice!
- Look the part – always be professional and neat. Do you have a colour or ‘talisman’ that makes you feel strong? As long as it’s not too distracting, go for it!
- Take the water they offer – and drink it. Also, if there is no offer of a drink, what does that say? You are interviewing them too, as one of our mentors said.
- What are your stories? This is a conversation, so adapt your experience and insight into engaging stories rather than bullets or lists
- Remember that you have been invited; you belong in the room!
Inclusive interviewing
In line with Future of GM’s commitment to diversity and inclusion, the session also included a discussion on inclusive interviewing practices. Participants learned how to make their interview process more inclusive by offering, or asking for, questions in advance. We also spoke about how sharing or asking for current salary details can bring about unfair bias and how to steer a more favourable conversation on salary expectations. These small but helpful tips can be very impactful in creating more equitable interview practices for all.
Find more guidance and tips here.
A big thanks to our partners
Interviewing Essentials was kindly hosted by Arup and brought to life with the support of co-sponsors Muse Places and Hatch Urban Solutions, all dedicated to developing future leaders across Greater Manchester.
Future events
Thank you to everyone who participated – and watch for more events in our career-boosting Diverse Voices Essentials series. We look forward to seeing you at our next event.
For more resources, to join the Diverse Voices Network and/or to learn about supporting this valuable work, visit: futureofgreatermanchester.com/diverse-voices-network.
