Interview Tips

Top Ten Interview Tips

Have a good night’s sleep. If you arrive at the interview feeling tired (or worse, looking tired) the interviewer/interview panel will pick up on it. On top of which, you will not be as mentally sharp as you could be.
Arrive in plenty of time for your interview. Make sure you know how to get there and if you can do a ‘dry-run’ to the location. Also, take into account the time of day you are having your interview so you can factor in heavy traffic etc.
Research the company and its business. Find out as much as you can – the company website is a good start. This will also help you compile your own list of questions for the interviewer/interview panel.
Review your CV before the interview and be ready to talk about any aspect of your career, your degree or your hobbies and interests. In particular make sure you can link your previous experience to the current job role.
Dress smartly and act positively. If in any doubt of the correct dress code always adopt formal business attire – but make sure you wear something that reflects the person you are and doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable. Handshakes are important too and plenty of eye contact.
Listen carefully to the questions and answer questions directly. If you do not know the answer, say so. Don’t just waffle in a bid to distract the interviewer/interview panel – you won’t. And do not feel you have to speak when there is a pause in the conversation, let the interviewer fill the gap.
Remember the interview is a two way process. This is your chance to find out if the job is really for you. Work out what you want to know about the role and be confident in asking questions. As mentioned in point three above, the website should help with you asking questions.
If you are interested in the job tell the interviewer. It is very important to come across as enthusiastic and excited about the prospect of working for the company. If you really want the job, tell them.
Be yourself. When you get the job you might disappoint if you cannot live up to the person you presented at the interview.
Counter. At the end of an interview try to find out how the interviewer/interview panel thought it went and whether they have any reservations regarding your application – this is the best and possibly the only chance you will have to counter any reservations they might have.