Preparing for any interview will take a lot more than just making a list of questions or doing a quick Google search! First impressions count, so you need to know what to bear in mind before heading to that first interview.
Not to worry though, we have compiled a list of our all-time best interview tips for you to use as a guide moving forward!
- RESEARCH
It is absolutely vital that you know enough about the company that you’re going for an interview with. Spend a good chunk of time learning everything you can about the company. We would suggest doing this from as many sources as you can: Google, Friends, Contacts, Current News, Social Media & Your recruiter!
If you can, find out who will be interviewing you and what kind of interview this will be (face-to-face, video, telephone etc.), investing time to make sure you are familiar with that particular type of interview can make a huge difference.
If you have a video interview coming up, it’s really important to check your connection in the area you will be doing this in, check the background and make sure there are no distractions! Telephone interviews are much the same, check your phone signal beforehand to avoid any complications on interview day!
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Questions! If you can, spend some time thinking about the questions you are likely to be asked in the interview. The key here is to not write out an entire answer to any questions that you feel you may be asked, instead, jot down a couple of bullet points to keep you on track! This way, you will cover the bases but you won’t be reliant on a script.
The chances of being asked, why you want to work the company and in that particular role are very high, so be prepared! List some key factors as to why you think you would be a great fit for the company and what your main motivators are.
Prepare a few clever questions for when it’s your turn to ask, but you can also adapt these from topics that have been mentioned throughout the interview – this will show how much you have been paying attention!
- First Impressions count!
Looking your best, helps you feel your best!
Dress formally, iron your clothes, clean your shoes and ensure you look smart. Little things don’t go unnoticed so, make the extra effort and show that you are well-presented.
It’s not only important to dress accordingly, pack accordingly too! You never know how many people might want to see a copy of your CV so, pack a couple of spare copies in your bag. It’s always a good idea to also have a list of your references with their contact details on, this shows initiative and that you are confident.
A notepad, pen, purse etc. are always good to have on you, but make sure you clean your bag out of anything you won’t need, the less you have to rifle though your bag, the better!
- Final Focus
Before the interview, spend time reflecting on your career to date, this will help you to not over-rehearse answers so the interview is more natural and it will be easier to apply examples to the questions you are asked.
Come up with a go-to phrase to avoid any dead air that may occur whilst you’re gathering your thoughts. This way, you won’t be flustering for answers and the conversation will be a lot smoother.
It’s a great idea to have a think about your body language so that you are conscious of this throughout the interview. Ask yourself ‘What I am communicating through my posture?’, ‘Do I look like I’m slouching?’, ‘Is my posture ok?’ etc.
Oh, and get some sleep! This is massively over-looked, but there’s nothing good about sleep deprivation!
