The only two things you need to succeed in an interview

(I feel the need before I write anything on here to 'fess up and share the fact that what I'm about to write about is probably: stolen, copied or common sense...)

I've been doing a lot of interviewing lately. In fact over the past few years I reckon I must have interviewed well over 150 Planners, of differing levels, across different markets, as well as interviewing a bunch of non-Planners too as part of a team or board.

There are only two things that I look for when I'm interviewing people: Attitude & Aptitude (in that order). It really is that simple.

Attitude
This is all about who you are and why you want to succeed.

It's crucial that's the first impression you give off when chatting to someone is a true impression. So do some scenario planning and get prepared for the initial questions, then you can get into a rhythm. You know you'll be nervous, and you don't know what they'll ask - so just be yourself. (And by the way, it's fine to get nervous, it shows you care.)

Then, when you're settled in, it's essential you get 'you' across. That question that is always asked ('so tell me about you') is not an opportunity to list all your qualifications from your CV, it's an opportunity to show your ambition, hopes, energy, fears, learnings via the things on your CV.

It's crucial to really get this personal attitude across because it's inevitable you won't be 100% perfect for the role. No-one ever is because we increasingly want more from every hire. But the key thing is proving that you can overcome the weaknesses with your attitude.

Success in getting your Attitude across: Show some proactive thinking/ Have some proactive thoughts on work from the agency/ Prove that you're the best person for the job by being the one that wants it the most.
Failure in getting your Attitude across: Ask about money as your first question/ Don't have any questions to ask/ Don't be excited about the possibilities of you+agency.

Aptitude
This is about what you know.

This is where you can list the experience you have, but only if you pull key learnings out of those experiences.

For me, the aptitude is very much a secondary thing. I'd much rather be working with someone who has a lack of experience but a hunger and desire that is palpable. When it's the other way around I find that lazyness creeps in, and in the industry we work in lazyness is a huge problem due to the rate of change and increased pace we work within.

Lots of people have lots of qualifications, and have worked in lots of different categories with lots of different agencies. That only proves your aptitude so much. What will differentiate you will be how you marry your Aptitude with your Attitude.

Success in getting your Aptitude across: Explain relevant projects/ Share the things you learned and mistakes you made/ Tell the interviewer something they don't know.
Failure in getting your Aptitude across: Name drop the people you have worked with/ List lots of projects/ Be proud of the university you attended.

Sounds simple, but of course they're both multi-faceted. But if all you do is sit in the interview ticking off points you're landing on each 'A' you could do a lot worse.