Interview tips
The following interview tips may seem obvious but you would be surprised by how often many candidates don’t get it right!
1. Know where you are going/arrive early
Late arrival is a huge mistake, one of the biggest for an interview.
Make sure you plan your route, even do the journey
the night before, as there may be road works that weren’t in
operation a few days before. If you are running unavoidably
late, make sure you call the company well in advance (at
least 15 minutes before the interview is due to start).
2. Be Smart
Many companies do not stick to the ‘shirt and tie’ rule anymore,
however you should always be relatively smart. Your
agency or whoever your contact is in the company should be
able to tell you what to wear.
3. Beware of ‘big brother’
You are on interview from the second you enter the car
park. Anyone could be watching you so be ready straight
away, e.g. don’t put your tie on outside the car.
4. Be nice to everyone
Once inside the building, be nice to the receptionist and anyone
else you come into contact with. Lots of people are nervous
and appear to be rude to receptionists as they mentally
go over their notes, etc. They are often asked their opinion
of people so be aware of this.
5. Be confident
We all make up our minds about people just after we meet
them, interviewers are the same. A confident handshake,
lots of eye contact and a smile will go a long way in the first
few seconds.
6. Do your homework!
Find out as much information as possible about the company.
Print out their web page or at least the ‘about us’
page. Read it a few days before the interview and again half
an hour before. If you can tell the interviewer a little about
their own company, it WILL impress them, guaranteed.
If you are going through an agency, ask them for the job
specification that they use.
7. Don’t waffle
When asked a question, keep the answer short and if possible
finish with a question. Also, ensure you are answering the
right question don’t be afraid to clarify what they are asking.
8. Ask lots of questions
Appear as interested as possible, refer to your homework
and come with a few questions in mind.
9. Ask for feedback
At the end of the interview, ask what they thought of
you. This will give you a chance to cover any doubts they
may have. By asking for feedback and finding
this out, you can advise them of the situation and perhaps move yourself
up the rankings.
10. Follow up
After the meeting, send the interviewer a ‘thank you’ by email
or post (find out their e-mail address from your recruiter
or reception). Simply thank them for their time. If they are
torn between two candidates this could just make up their
mind.