The Art of Interviewing: Tips from the Other Side of the Table

If you’ve ever walked out of an interview and thought “Well… that could’ve gone better,” don’t worry, you’re not alone.

At Place, we meet a lot of candidates.

Some are just starting their careers. Some are stepping into leadership. Some have spent years in real estate and are ready for their next chapter.

But regardless of experience level, the candidates who stand out in that first conversation are rarely the ones with the longest CV. They’re the ones who show up prepared, curious, and aligned with who we are as a business.

The initial HR interview is often the first real conversation you'll have with a company and it sets the tone for everything that follows. It's not about grilling you on technical knowledge or putting you on the spot. It's a chance for us to get to know you, understand your background, and explore whether there's a genuine fit worth exploring further.

At Place, we believe great people are the foundation of everything we do. Our culture is built around Respect, Innovation, Excellence, and Community.

So, if you're preparing for an initial interview with us, or anywhere, here are a few tips and tricks from someone who spends a lot of time on the other side of the table.

1. Do Your Homework (Yes, We Can Tell If You Haven’t)

Nothing says “I really want this job” like knowing a little bit about the company.

A bit of research before an initial interview goes a long way. It shows you’re genuinely interested, that you care about where you work, and you're not just sending out applications and hoping something sticks.

At this stage, we're not testing your technical expertise, we just want to see that you understand what you're applying for.

Taking a few minutes to understand a company before you walk into an interview helps you:

• Ask smarter questions

• Show genuine enthusiasm

• Connect your experience to what the company actually does

• Stand out from candidates who haven’t prepared

How to Actually Do Your Homework

If you’re not sure where to start, here are a few easy ways to get a quick snapshot of the company you're interviewing with.

Visit the Company Website

Start with the basics. Look at the “About Us”, “Careers”, or “Our Story” pages. You’ll often learn about the company’s mission, values, and what makes them different in their industry.

Check Their Social Media

This is one of the best ways to get a feel for company culture. Look at what they celebrate, how they engage with their community, and what their team is proud of.

Understand Their Industry

You don’t need to become an expert overnight, but having a basic understanding of the industry they operate in can make a big difference in conversation.

Look Up the People You’re Meeting

If you know who will be interviewing you, take a quick look at their LinkedIn profile. Understanding their role and background can help you tailor your questions and build rapport.

Read the Job Description Again

This sounds obvious, but many people forget. Look at the responsibilities and think about real examples from your experience that match the role.

2. The “Tell Me About Yourself” Question Is Not a Trap

This question kicks off almost every HR interview, and surprisingly, it’s where a lot of people stumble.

A helpful way to think about it:

Past - Present - Future

• Where have you come from?

• What are you doing now?

• Why does this role make sense for the next steps in your career?

Think of it as your highlight reel, not your life story.

The HR interview is the place to give us the overview, the detail comes later in the process.

3. Show Us the How, Not Just the What

Anyone can say they’re organised, proactive, or great with people.

What we’re really interested in is how you demonstrate those qualities.

Instead of saying:

“I’m really organised.”

Explain how you managed competing priorities, supported a busy team, or implemented systems that helped things run more smoothly.

The easiest way to do this is to think about specific situations from your previous roles.

Some helpful prompts to think about might be:

• When did you solve a problem at work?

• When did you help a team or colleague succeed?

• When did you improve a process or make something run more smoothly?

• When did you have to juggle multiple priorities?

You don’t need a dramatic story, often the everyday examples are the best ones.

4. Attitude Matters!

Skills can be developed over time, but the right attitude is what makes someone exceptional.

One of the things that makes Place special is our culture. We work in fast-paced environments, collaborate across offices, and support each other to deliver exceptional results.

People who are positive, adaptable, and genuinely enjoy working with others tend to thrive here.

The first interview is often where that comes through most naturally, so let it.

5. Ask Thoughtful Questions

When we ask, “Do you have any questions for us?”, avoid saying;

“No, I think you covered everything.”

This is your chance to learn about the role and show curiosity. We’re not just interviewing you, you’re interviewing us.

Some great questions might be:

• What does the team culture look like day-to-day?

• What does the broader interview process look like from here?

• What do people who thrive in this role tend to have in common?

Save the deeper role-specific or technical questions for later rounds, but showing you're engaged and curious right now goes a long way.

6. Small Things Make a Big Difference

These might sound simple, but they matter more than you think:

• Be on time

• Dress appropriately for the role

• Put your phone on silent

• Be polite to everyone you meet

Final Thoughts

The initial HR interview can feel like a hurdle, but think of it as the beginning of a conversation, if it goes well, it opens the door to everything that follows.

We’re not looking for perfection. We’re looking for potential, attitude, and someone who will not just fit our team but add to the team.

So, take a breath, be prepared, and remember: the goal isn’t to give the “perfect” answer, it’s to show us who you are and how you think.

And who knows… the next time we meet, it might be as colleagues.