Confidence for an interview comes with being prepared. Our top tips will see you leaving a positive, lasting impression in no time.
DO YOUR RESEARCH
Look at the company’s website, their competitors – even look at their news page – to learn more about the company. Researching will show an employer you know about the company: their ethos, history, products and market sector. A few sentences will demonstrate the work you’ve put in, and it could go a long way during the interview.
TIME TO CONNECT
Take the time to learn how certain employees got to their current position. Did they work their way up the ladder? LinkedIn is a perfect tool to get a deeper understanding of a person’s career path, and of the opportunities available in a company.
SO, TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOU…
This is your chance to shine. In a 30-second summary of your educational career, your interests, extracurricular achievements – and finally, what job it is you want – you will take your skillset to new heights. During an interview, we call this the elevator pitch.
EXPLAIN
During the interview you may be asked to explain, or expand, certain points on your CV, so prepare concise explanations to detail what you did or learned in each experience listed. Illustrate what you achieved and the skills you used – and how you plan on expanding them further. When explaining your skillset, highlight how you are best placed within a position, it will help the interviewee to understand what you’re looking for and what you can bring to the table. Don’t forget: the interview is a twoway process.
DRESS (AND ACT) THE PART
Unless stated otherwise, it is important to attend your interview in appropriate, smart clothing (so, leave the baseball cap at home). Remember, you’re going into an office environment for your interview and turning your phone off to providing a firm handshake – whilst maintaining eye contact – will impress.
EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED
Life can throw a curveball. Transport links failing or waking up with a serious case of flu: it happens to the best of us. Maintain a professional stance in this case. If you are running late take the time to let the interviewer know over the phone, you might not be the only interview booked in. Similarly, don’t turn up 30 minutes early, the earliest you should be for an appointment is five minutes.
For personalised interview advice from one of our consultants, get in touch with your nearest branch today.
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