Be prepared:
Research the company by reading any company information you can get hold and Looking at their website, competitors
websites, and trade magazines to find out as much as you can about their company and the industry they're in.
Understand the role:
Ideally ensure you have a full job description and, if not, get as many details as possible from your agency. See
what the key skills are for the job and how they fit in with your experience.
Have questions ready:
Think of questions in advance to make sure you get as much out of the interview as possible. Remember an interview
is a two way process - you have to be sure it is a job you want and a company you want to work for after all.
Also, try to make your questions about the job, the people you'd be working with and the company in general - a first
interview is not the time to be asking about salary and benefits!
Find out where the interview is:
The Internet has a number of websites (like multimap.com and
streetmap.co.uk) that'll let you find out exactly where you need to go and
how to get there - all you need is the postcode for the building. Plan your journey using these and on-line train
timetables to make sure you know when you should leave home, what route you'll be taking and how long your journey
should last.
Okay, so your CV has got you past the first hurdle and you've been invited for an interview. Naturally you'll be a bit nervous but our tips below should help you prepare and boost your confidence a bit.
Before the interview
On the day
Arrive in plenty of time:
Make sure you know exactly where you're going and allow for delays. If you're really too early you can always find a cafe nearby and take some time to go over the job description, your CV, your questions - anything that will help you focus on the interview to come.
Know who it is you're meeting, when and where:
If you are held up make sure you have contact details to let the interviewer or your agency know. Call as soon as you think there'll be a problem with getting to the interview on time. It's better that the employer and/or agency know you're on your way rather than you simply not turning up on time. Better still it shows you're the kind of person who keeps people informed of what's going on.
Make sure you're well presented:
Dress appropriately for the role you are going for and always make sure your clothes are clean and tidy. If in doubt, go smarter.
First impressions really do count - and it's generally accepted that the people you meet will form their opinion of you in the first 15 seconds of meeting you! Looking the part is half the challenge but the way you present yourself is just as important. Be confident but not arrogant, be polite and be enthusiastic! And smile!
Avoid being monosyllabic:
Don't just give yes or no answers. Try to expand the discussion and relate it to both your CV and the job that you're applying for.
Be positive:
Avoid using negatives at all times. This is your opportunity to sell yourself! If it hasn't been discussed already, make sure you leave the interview knowing what the next steps are.
Make sure you know exactly where you're going and allow for delays. If you're really too early you can always find a cafe nearby and take some time to go over the job description, your CV, your questions - anything that will help you focus on the interview to come.
Know who it is you're meeting, when and where:
If you are held up make sure you have contact details to let the interviewer or your agency know. Call as soon as you think there'll be a problem with getting to the interview on time. It's better that the employer and/or agency know you're on your way rather than you simply not turning up on time. Better still it shows you're the kind of person who keeps people informed of what's going on.
Make sure you're well presented:
Dress appropriately for the role you are going for and always make sure your clothes are clean and tidy. If in doubt, go smarter.
First impressions really do count - and it's generally accepted that the people you meet will form their opinion of you in the first 15 seconds of meeting you! Looking the part is half the challenge but the way you present yourself is just as important. Be confident but not arrogant, be polite and be enthusiastic! And smile!
Avoid being monosyllabic:
Don't just give yes or no answers. Try to expand the discussion and relate it to both your CV and the job that you're applying for.
Be positive:
Avoid using negatives at all times. This is your opportunity to sell yourself! If it hasn't been discussed already, make sure you leave the interview knowing what the next steps are.
Interview Questions
Always be prepared for those nasty questions so they don't put you off your stride.
Here are some examples for you to think about before hand:
- What motivates or inspires you?
- What are your strengths?
- What are your weaknesses?
- Where do you see yourself in five years time?
- Why do you want to work for our company?
- What do you know about the company?
- Are you the right person for this job and why?
- If I were to talk to the people who know you best how would they describe you?
- What are people's greatest misperceptions of you?
- What would your manager say is the one thing you're relied on for the most?