Once you’ve been invited to interview for a role, it’s important not to fall at the last hurdle. Here are our top tips to help you succeed!
1. Appearance
First impressions count for a lot, and it’s important to look the part when attending an interview. Dress smartly and look professional. While many modern companies have a casual dress code, it’s best to turn up dressed smartly unless explicitly told not to do so!
2. Prepare
You should spend time learning about the company you’re interviewing with and your interviewer. Make sure you know about the company’s vision, it’s products, and any recent press. Look up your interviewer online – LinkedIn is great for this – find out their role in the company and try to learn about their day to day job.
3. Know what’s on your résumé
Make sure you have a read through your résumé and can remember exactly what is on it. If you have customised it for each job that you have applied to, go back and re-read the version you sent to the company you are interviewing with. This helps to prevent any awkward questions that you can’t answer!
4. Speak clearly
Take your time and think about what you are going to say. When you give an answer, speak clearly and don’t rush. There’s nothing worse than being mis-understood, and you’ll waste time having to repeat yourself.
5. Don’t guess
If you don’t know the answer to a question, ask the interviewer to repeat themselves or to give you a hint. Sometimes there is never a correct answer, and interviewers are trying to find out about how you would tackle a problem.
6. Be positive
Always focus on positive points, and avoid being negative. If you’re asked why you want to leave your current job, explain that it’s because you want a new challenge – don’t say that it’s because you hate your boss!
7. Believe in yourself
If you don’t believe in yourself, no one else will. You should be proud of your achievements to date and be prepared to stand behind them.
8. Be on time
Try to arrive at least 10 minutes before the start of an interview. Give yourself a bit of extra time to find the office, sign in at reception and use the bathroom if necessary. You don’t want to arrive in a rush and have no time to relax before the interview starts.
9. Have questions for your interviewer
An interview should be a two way conversation. It is also your chance to find out whether or not you want to work for the company. Make sure you prepare a range of questions about the company and role that you have applied for. This also makes you look more engaged and proves that you’ve done your research.
10. Follow up
After your interview, always send a thank you email to say that you enjoyed meeting the company and restate your interest in the role. If you felt like you answered a question badly, this is also your chance to follow up and give the answer that you wish you had in the interview!
