11 Summer 2025 | West sonal and professional reasons. For example, you might have personal motivations like relocating and professional motivations like wanting to take on larger projects. • Where do you see yourself in five years? Be honest but avoid answers that suggest you’ll leave the company in a year or two. Think through responsibilities you may want to take on down the road, or if you want to continue in a customer facing role but take on larger accounts, etc. What are your strengths and weaknesses? These may not be easy to identify or talk about- so Erin took the AWC group through an exercise to help them identify their strengths. Take a blank piece of paper and draw a line down the middle- top to bottom. Title the left side “weaknesses” and the right-side “strengths”. Under weaknesses, write out a few low points in your career (mistakes or things you would do differently, if given the chance). Under each, make some notes about how you got there: decisions, actions, scenarios. You may see some repeats, those will point to your weaknesses. Next, do the strengths. Write out some professional achievements or high points and make notes about how you arrived at each. Look for repeats, as those will lead you to your strengths. Spend some time adding more detail, as these may also help you answer, “tell me about a time you made a mistake at work and what you did to rectify the situation” or “tell me about an achievement you are most proud of”. 5. Crafting your responses When answering questions, structure your response with a beginning (introduction), middle (details), and end (summary). This structure will keep you focused and ensure you provide a complete answer without rambling. 6. Do not criticize previous Employers When Erin shared this piece of advice - the audience laughed - but Erin explains “I shared it because it happens often and is never well received by interviewers. Don’t criticize any employer, ever. Things happen- personalities don’t align, organizations are downsized, strategic plans change, and emotions can run high. If you have been in this situation, write out and rehearse what you will say.” You could use ChatGPT to give you suggestions on other ways to say it, or how to improve it. That way, you’re less likely to be triggered and will have a thoughtful but honest answer when asked, “why did you leave your previous job”. 7. The human factor Remember, there is a human being on the other side of the interview. You can answer honestly and well, yet it may not align with the interviewer --and this is okay. You want to be interviewing your future employer/manager, too -- and ensuring it feels like the right fit for you. 8. Ask questions Always have questions prepared for your interviewer. Here are a few suggestions: • How does your team interact with one another and with clients? • What are the biggest challenges in this role? • What are your expectations for the first 3, 6, and 12 months? • What are the next steps in the process? 9. Make a great first impression with your Introduction In your interview, employers will form an opinion of you within the first two minutes or less. One of the first things they will ask you to do is introduce yourself. Having a well thought out, concise, but inclusive introduction will put your best in front of the interviewers for that critical first impression. Your introduction should be professionally focused, including your name, education, and experience that is most relevant to the position you are interviewing for. (Read the article on page xx about personal brands.) Interview Day: Plan Ahead “Preparation does not end with your resume and research. Your interview day matters just as much!” Erin says. “Whether your interview is virtual or in-person, planning can help reduce stress and opportunities for error.” • For Virtual Interviews: Charge anything that runs off a battery (ear buds, mouse, speaker, etc.), log in to Teams/ Zoom ahead of time and run any necessary updates. Test the lighting in the room and make sure the area interviewers will see is bright and professional. Plan your attire, paying attention to necklines, wrinkles, and cleanliness. “I know it seems obvious, but I need to say this because sometimes these details are missed.” Lastly, eliminate distractions by silencing your phone and/or smart watch, put a “do not disturb” note on your front door/doorbell, and put your pets in another room-you don’t want to be in the middle of a response to a key question and get distracted by a dog barking or cat jumping up on your laptop. • For In-Person Interviews: Research your route and consider traffic at that time of day you will be travelling. Plan your attire, choosing something that is clean and professional and makes you feel confident. If you aren’t sure what the company dress code is, you can ask your contact or recruiter for advice. Arrive early so you can take some deep breaths, check yourself in the mirror, and review your notes. Go into the building confidently- and take time to introduce yourself to the receptionist (remember- first impressions matter!) before you sit down to wait. Final Thoughts Landing the interview and succeeding in it requires intentional preparation. Use relevant keywords in your resume, conduct thorough research on the company, and practice answers to potential questions. Prepare a strong introduction, plan for your interview day, and always be ready with questions. Good luck! Erin Stuart is a Recruitment Consultant with De Lacy Executive Recruitment North America. She holds a Bachelors and a Master of Science and is a certified as a Professional Recruitment Consultant. She has worked in agriculture for the entirety of her career and spends her workdays helping clients find the best fit for their organization. Erin lives in Kimberley, BC with her husband and three young children.
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