You’ve got an interview: well done. Other people will have been invited too, so the work you put in now is what gives you the best chance of the job. And if it doesn’t go your way this time, you’ll know you did all you could.
Know the role inside out
Read the job description more than once. It’s surprising how often people miss important details. Make a note of the key points, so you understand the role and start thinking about what to ask.
Match your experience to what they want
Go through what the employer is looking for and match your experience to each point. For each one, think of a real example: what you did, and what happened as a result. Practise saying them out loud.
Don’t worry if you can’t cover every point. You want room to grow in the job. But knowing how well you match will help you talk about your experience with confidence.
Find out how the interview will run
Who will be interviewing you, and what do they do? Will it be a formal panel, a practical test, a walk round the shop floor or an informal chat? Knowing this helps you plan the right examples.
Find out about the company
Show that you know something about the business. Good places to look are:
- the company’s own website
- its social media
- trade and industry news
- its accounts at Companies House, which show how big it is and where it works
Prepare for the questions
The common ones
Most interviews include a few standard questions: tell us about yourself, why do you want this job, tell us about a time something went wrong. Have your answers ready.
Your own questions
Have a few questions of your own ready, and more than you think you need, because some may be answered along the way. Use what you found out about the company: ask where the business is heading, what the team is like, or what success looks like in the first few months.
First impressions
Plan what you’ll wear, for a video call as well as in person. Look at what people at the company wear and dress a step smarter.
On the day:
- Plan your journey, arrive on time, and call ahead if you’re running late
- Show you want the job
- Be confident: make eye contact and take your time
- Stay calm. Everyone gets nervous, and a little nervous energy can keep you sharp
- Whatever happens, keep going and do your best
We can help
When you apply for a job through us, your consultant will help you prepare for the interview, and tell you what the employer is looking for.