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Interview Preparation


Don't rely on luck alone, preparation is vital for a successful interview The more prepared you are for your interview, the better your chances of winning.

Before you go to any interview, do your research – find out all you can about the company. These days information is more accessible than ever before.

Many if not most companies have websites which provide enormous amounts of relevant information from company reports to profiles of individuals within the company, to statements about the company’s goals and culture. This makes your task that much easier so there’s really no excuse. Many have recruitment pages designed with you in mind – your interviewer could see not having looked at this information as demonstrating a lack of interest on your part.

Use the information you glean to ask questions about the company, thereby demonstrating your interest and motivation. If there is no website don’t panic – fall back on the traditional sources, visit libraries and phone up and ask for information.

Anticipate questions that you think you may be asked, write down sample answers and practice saying them out loud. If you can, get a friend to go through them with you – you should find it easier to remember what you want to say if you write it down and say it out loud.

Look over your CV to re-familiarise yourself with it and identify any areas that could appear irregular, such as gaps between jobs, and be prepared to explain them in a positive manner.

Carefully go through any information that the company has sent you before the interview. Be completely familiar with the job description, person specification and be prepared to describe how you meet each of the requirements.

Be ready to talk about what you have achieved in your job rather than your job description.

Your preparation should help you to remain positive and in control.

Dress for success

First impressions count. What you should wear to an interview often comes down to common sense. Different industries and professions have different standards and if there is a stereotype for what you should look like in the job you are going for, think very carefully before bucking it. Having done your research beforehand, you already know something about the organisation: try to dress in a manner that is appropriate to the company and to the position that you are being interviewed for.

If in doubt, opt for smarter, less flamboyant, more conservative clothing, avoiding bright colours. But it is important that you look and feel comfortable – if  you are unsure about a suit or outfit that you intend to wear to an interview, give it a test run beforehand and see how you feel in it and how others respond to you.

Getting there

Give yourself plenty of time to get to the interview. Arriving late to an interview is an immediate psychological black mark against your name. If possible, arrive in good time to have a tea or coffee nearby and make a relaxed entrance five minutes early. If you are unavoidably held up, make sure you phone to warn your interviewer at the earliest possible opportunity.

Do you have any interview experiences to share or comments on our website?
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