How to prepare for an Interview
If an interview is worth attending, it is worth preparing for. Ultimately, your performance at Interview Stage will reflect the time & energy that you put into the preparation – so, make it count.
Do your Research
You must fully brief yourself on the company you are applying for – this is often seen as the bare minimum for an employer.
Places to look: Their Company Website, Google, & LinkedIn profiles, You Tube etc
From your research you should know the background/history of the company, their products/services, company values & culture, recent news, any notable achievements/awards, and so on – try to connect with something you find out about the business and ensure you bring this up at interview.
A company’s online presence is like a shop window and will give you a better insight in to how they portray themselves in their market, this allows you to also make a more informed decision when deciding if they are the right employer for you.
Know your CV
You know yourself better than anybody else does. So, you might be wondering why it is necessary to spend valuable time re-reading your own CV?
Well, you can pretty much guarantee that the main topic of conversation in an interview is YOU.
Be ready to discuss your qualifications, experiences, and achievements in detail. Be prepared to explain any gaps or inconsistencies and ensure you look to add your personality when talking about yourself, so you shine!
STAR of the Show
These days, many Interviewers will conduct their interviews around behavioural questions. They are used to assess past behavioural patterns, and act as an indicator of future performance.
For example, “tell me about a time that you went above & beyond for a customer.”
We advise following the S.T.A.R method to deliver a clear, structured response:
Situation – Describe the situation you were in/offer context
Task – Explain the specific task you had to achieve in the situation described.
Action – Describe the actions you took/decisions made to work through this task and/or challenge.
Result – Finally, define the outcome of the actions you took. If the results were negative, be sure to say what you would do differently next time.
Preparing answers using the S.T.A.R format will ensure that you shine at Interview Stage.
Mock Interviews
Interviews are daunting at the best of times, so it is completely normal to feel nervous! Nerves before an interview are purely an indicator that the prospective job opportunity means a lot to you – which employers WILL appreciate.
Consider conducting a role-play interview with a friend or family member. This will get you into the flow of answering questions in a face-to-face scenario. Constructive feedback from a third-party is always beneficial.
Remember…
- Hold yourself confidently & professionally
- Maintain eye contact / appear engaged
- Answer the question you are being asked
Dress to Impress
Think ahead and plan your outfit the day before.
The dress-code for an interview will almost always be professional attire – so, dress accordingly! Having carried out your own research, you should also have an idea of your prospective company’s culture and desired attire for employees.
When in doubt…it is always better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.
Rest & Re-store
Recent studies show that the average adult in the UK sleeps for approximately 6 hours per night, which is far below the recommended 7-9 hours for top productivity.
Researchers provide more & more evidence that quality of sleep & job performance are intrinsically intertwined; With a lack of sleep, you will likely feel unsociable, agitated, less creative, unfocused etc.
Making sure that you are well-rested and nourished before an interview, will undoubtedly have a positive impact on your performance. We would highly recommend a relaxing early night, followed by a nutritiously balanced breakfast to keep you fuelled throughout the all-important day.
Plan your journey
How would you like to arrive at an interview…Calm & in control? Or sweaty & in a rush?
…We know what we would prefer!!
Nowadays, locations can look simple on Google Maps, but in reality, are an absolute nightmare to find. Take that extra time to familiarise yourself with the route before your interview. Whether you are driving or taking public transport, you must also consider traffic/unexpected delays.
Quick Tip: In the working world, 10 minutes early is On Time!
Interviewee becomes the Interviewer
When an interview comes to a natural end, employers will always ask if you have any questions. This is your opportunity to prove your interest and FIND OUT MORE.
The purpose of an interview is not solely for the interviewer to analyse you, but for you to assess whether their company/team is the right fit.
Take this opportunity & prepare your questions in advance.
By following the steps above, you will be on the path to a fantastic interview.
GOOD LUCK!