While it is completely normal to feel nervous, it is essential that you are as prepared as possible. Preparation will see that you are as comfortable and confident as possible during an interview, which contributes hugely to your potential success.
Here's our advice on how you can be preparing for interview:
- Preparation In recent studies it was revealed that over 80% of candidates do little or no preparation before an interview. While this is up to you as an individual, it would be far more likely that you would be successful if you did everything possible to better your chances.By following the tips below, you will find yourself much more confident, and have an overall more positive interview experience than if you take no time to prepare.
- Research the firm. Check out its website. This will often provide good information. Many sites list recent press releases, but you can also conduct a wider search to get the bigger picture on specialist areas or other information.
- Contact the company. If you have time, contact the firm’s marketing department for up-to-date literature.
- Plan your journey. If you have never been to the firm or area before, try a ‘practise run’ so that you are confident when travelling there on the day of the interview.
- Know your CVKnow your CV inside out. Be ready to expand on any decisions you have made on previous educational and career decisions. Be confident about talking about your key achievements.
- Prepare some questions and answers.
- Take time to consider questions you might be asked and practice your responses.
- Prepare a brief career overview in response to that popular kick-off question ‘tell me something about yourself’.
- Be ready with plenty of examples to illustrate your skills and how you could contribute to the company.
- Think about questions you would like to ask. Those which invite thought and comment are more memorable to the interviewer than those that request specific detail. This is also an excellent opportunity to illustrate your understanding of the firm.
- Research the interview process Find out as much as you can about the format of the interview process. Websites such as Glassdoor.com and other online forums allow you to view reviews and comments left by people who interviewed with the company previously. Your recruitment consultant can also help with this, they will have a close relationship with the employer and know exactly what the company are looking for in a candidate. They will be able to tell you what to expect on the day.You should aim to find out the following:
- How many interviews will there be?
- What type of questions will you be asked?
- Does the firm carry out psychometric testing?
- Who will be conducting the interviews?
- What is their position at the company?
