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.
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.
"Practise answering questions – you'll feel a lot more relaxed."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
You can often find what they're looking for in these areas from the person specification.
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.
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!
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: