Getting an interview is an important step, but how you perform in the room or on the screen can make all the difference. This is your opportunity to bring your CV to life, demonstrate what you can offer and show an employer why you're the right person for the role. That takes more than rehearsing a few answers and hoping for the best.
At Tarsh & Partners, we know that the strongest candidates combine thorough preparation with clear examples, commercial awareness and the confidence to talk honestly about their experience.
Here's our advice on making your next interview count.
Reading the company website and looking at products online is a start, but you need to understand the business, the role and what the employer is looking for.
Before your interview:
For FMCG candidates, commercial awareness is particularly important. Employers want to understand how you connect consumer insight, brand strategy and marketing activity with business results. And yes, you should know the difference between your A&P budget and your P&L!
Interviewers want more than a list of responsibilities - they want to understand how you think, how you handle challenges and what you've learned.
Prepare a few strong examples, whether that's a successful product launch, a brand challenge, a difficult stakeholder relationship or a campaign that didn't deliver the expected results.
Explain the situation, what you needed to achieve, the actions you took and the outcome. Be specific, but don't get lost in the detail. Focus on what you contributed and what the experience taught you.
You don't need to pretend everything has gone perfectly. Being able to reflect honestly, learn from setbacks and explain what you'd do differently can be just as revealing as a success story.
You may be asked why you're leaving your current role, what you've found challenging or where you need to develop.
Be honest and constructive. If you're discussing a difficult experience, avoid blaming colleagues or criticising your employer. Explain what you learned and how you handled the situation.
If you're missing some of the experience the employer wants, don't try to disguise it. Acknowledge the gap and explain how your existing skills and relevant experience could help you bridge it.
An interview isn't just about convincing an employer to hire you. It's also your opportunity to decide whether the role and business are right for you.
Think about the organisation's priorities and the challenges the person in this role might need to address. Prepare thoughtful questions about the role, the team and what success would look like.
Don't overlook the practical details, either. Plan your journey for a face-to-face interview, or test your technology and find a quiet space for a virtual one. Dress appropriately, arrive on time and listen carefully to what's being asked rather than simply reciting rehearsed answers.
Take a little time to reflect. What went well? Which questions challenged you? Is there anything you would explain differently next time?
A brief, personalised follow-up to thank the interviewer and reinforce your interest can be worthwhile. If you don't get the job, ask for feedback where possible and use any useful insight to improve your approach.
The best interviews aren't performances in which you try to become the person you think the employer wants, they're conversations in which you demonstrate what you can do, how you think and what you could bring to the business.
Prepare properly, use real examples and show you understand the commercial context of the role. Be honest about your strengths and development areas, and remember that you're assessing the opportunity just as much as the employer is assessing you.
Preparing for your next move in FMCG? Contact Tarsh & Partners for an honest conversation about your experience, ambitions and the opportunities that could be right for you.
