Job interview tips
Congratulations, you've got a job interview - your CV and covering letter must have been impressive. Now it's time to show them what you're made of in your interview.
Your experience and advice on job interviews
Facing a job interview can shred your nerves. We found out what experiences you've faced and how you won those employers over.
"Practise answering questions – you'll feel a lot more relaxed."
What should I wear?
Your image can give your confidence a real boost and impress your interviewers. For men, a suit is recommended, but a tie isn't always necessary, and in some fields, such as the media, smart-casual is sometimes preferred. Women can go for a smart, professional look with a skirt or trouser suit and use accessories to help personalise it.
When should I arrive?
Aim to arrive about 10 minutes before the interview. If you're unsure of where to go and have time beforehand, you can even practise your route so you don't have any panicky map-reading on the day.
What body language should I use?
Smiling is good! It helps to make a good first impression and shows that you're friendly, especially when you first walk in and meet your interviewers. It's important to show you're concentrating by looking focused and taking their questions seriously, but wherever it feels right, do smile and always maintain eye contact.
How much preparation do I need to do?
As much as possible. Read through all the information available to you – from job descriptions to person specifications, and more widely about the company/organisation. Look the company up online and find out what their plans are for the future.
What sort of questions should I expect?
Classic opening questions are "why do you want this job?" or "can you talk me through your CV?" If you practise answering these questions, you'll feel a lot more relaxed when they ask them.
What if I've been told my interview needs examples or is competency-based?
This means you'll be asked to demonstrate what you say with examples of what you've done. You can spot these questions because interviewers often ask things like "Can you tell me about a time...?" or "Can you give me an example of when...?". Prepare some examples for these topics:
- Working as a team
- Leadership
- Working under pressure
- Multitasking
- Working with clients or people outside the organisation
- Communication
- Working on a project from start to finish
- Dealing with conflict
You can often find what they're looking for in these areas from the person specification.
How should I answer the questions?
Listen to each question carefully and make sure your answer responds directly to it. Give yourself time to gather your thoughts and respond in a direct way that shows you've understood what they're asking, and aren't just talking for the sake of it. If you need some clarification of what they're asking, don't be afraid to ask.
Remember, too, that your interviewers want to hear that you want to do this particular job. Your enthusiasm and personality are crucial.
How many people will be interviewing me?
Usually it ranges from one to three, but it could be more. You can always ask in advance how many people will be on the interview panel and who they will be. Interviewers often take notes; try and ignore them doing this, and whatever you do, don't try and read them!
Should I ask any questions?
Yes. Have some questions ready to ask at the end of the interview. Try to think beyond the practicalities (working hours, salary etc). Instead, ask questions which show your enthusiasm for working and staying at that company. For example:
- What's the best thing about working here?
- I read about your plans to develop a certain project in the future, how would my role fit into this project?
- Are there any training or development opportunities associated with this role?
How was it for you?
What do you think of Lifetracks.com and has it helped you? For your chance to win a £20 Amazon voucher, complete our short survey and help us make the website as useful as possible.
