You’ve bossed your CV, your application has piqued the recruiters interest and you now have an interview booked; but are you prepared and ready to secure the role?
Preparation for a job interview is KEY to making a good impression on potential employers and will ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible. In turn, this will increase your chances of being successful and landing your dream job.
Don’t be afraid to ask pre-interview questions!
When you’ve been offered an interview, some employers may give more in-depth information than others. Here are a few questions you may need to ask:
Where will the interview take place? Some companies have more than one location and even their head office can be in a separate area altogether. It’s good to double-check.
What format will the interview take? Asking this question means you save getting caught out if they require you to prepare a presentation or to bring something along with you.
Who is the interviewer? This can be helpful in your pre-interview research.
Do some research on the company
Doing some research on your potential employer is key for an easier interview. It will allow you to get a feel for the company and start to help you formulate potential questions that may be asked and allows you to discuss what attracted you to their business and why you are the ideal candidate for their company.
You should look into:
- What the company does
- What are the company’s ethics and values?
- Check out their online presence including their website and social media
- Who is their competition?
Know your CV and the Job specification
Knowing your CV is vital to a good interview. This is what the interviewer is using to interview you and why they wanted to in the first place. It should be a true and accurate source of information about you and your skillset. So make sure you know exactly what information you’ve included.
Go through the job description and compare each point to your CV. Familiarising yourself with the job spec will allow you to link this back to your skillset.
Don’t worry if you don’t have every skill listed on the job specification. Being able to use your knowledge from your current skill set and research will show you’re perfect for the role.
Prepare interview questions.
Another vital step in preparing for an interview is testing yourself with questions that are commonly asked in the company’s industry. You may not be asked the same questions, but you’ll find with enough preparation you’ll have a suitable answer…
Example Questions
Why did you apply for this position?
What do you consider to be your greatest strength?
Give me an example of where you performed well under pressure?
It’s also a good idea to prepare some questions you can ask at the end of the interview. Not only does this show your interest in the company but don’t forget; you’re interviewing the company as much as they are interviewing you – is this position and the company suitable for you?
Dress to Impress
While judgement is predominantly (and rightly) based on your interview performance, first impressions count for a lot – and how you present yourself can carry major weight.
Think about what the role is about and dress appropriately to impress. The key is to find clothing that fits, is polished and is aligned for the company you’re interviewing with.
Your safest bet is to keep it professional and look smart in a suit or business casual. You tend to feel your best when you look your best!
What to bring to your interview
Aside from any requirements such as a presentation or a portfolio you should also think about taking the following with you:
- Interview location/direction details
- Contact name and number of the person you’re meeting with
- Identification
- Notepad and pen
- Extra copies of your CV
- List of three references
- Breath mints to use before entering the building!
Good luck with your interview!
If you want more assistance with preparing for an interview, contact us.