How To Ace Your Interview!

Career counseling

Did you know an interviewer will decide within a matter of minutes if a candidate is suitable for their role? Making a good first impression at your interview is absolutely crucial!

DRESS TO IMPRESS

It may seem obvious, but so many people don’t understand the importance of dressing the part. Plan your outfit around the culture of the company, and remember it’s always better to be overdressed than under-dressed. You want to be remembered positively for your expertise and what you will bring to the role, rather than for the way you look.

BE ON TIME!!!

The best first impression; arrive up to 10 minutes before your interview to ensure both you and your interviewer have time for final preparations before the meeting.

RESEARCH THE COMPANY AND THE INTERVIEWERS

Researching the company before your interview is the best way to prepare. Look at their online presence, website and social media sites, this will give great insight to the culture. If you know someone who works there it would be worth contacting them to get a further insight into the company.

If you have been advised who is actually interviewing then it might be a good idea to look at their profile on the business social media website www.linkedin.co.uk, you may be able to find some common ground.

BE CONFIDENT

The most important thing when you first meet your interviewer is to appear confident. Even if you don’t feel it, you can still convey confidence with your actions and body language:

  • SMILE!
  • Speak clearly and make sure that your voice sounds warm
  • Keep enough eye contact to establish sincerity
  • Be enthusiastic about the job and the prospect of working for them
  • Be mindful of your body language – sit up straight, don’t fidget, don’t fold your arms

INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

  • The interviewer isn’t trying to trick you; they just want to make sure that you’re the best person for the job!
  • Look up common interview questions and make sure you can answer them
  • Talk about your strengths and achievements in your current and previous roles, and how they make you suitable for the position you’re interviewing for
  • Try practising your answers in front of a friend or family member
  • Avoid yes/no answers where possible – elaborate!

BE UPBEAT AND CONFIDENT

  • Nobody is going to hire a Debbie Downer
  • Answer any questions thrown your way with authenticity and confidence, remember to play up your accomplishments
  • NEVER badmouth your previous employer/s – it is a big no-no and could cost you the role

DO YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS?

  • YES! Its important to ask at least one question. Look up good questions to ask at an interview; you could ask about the team you would be working with, what a typical day would be, what the culture is like (prepare some back-up questions in case your questions are answered during the course of the interview)
  • Not preparing good questions for your interview can cost you big. People want to see that you are genuinely interested in their business.
  • Avoid “me me” questions like how many holidays will I have, what are my promotional prospects, what are the employee perks

LAST IMPRESSIONS COUNT TOO!

Before you leave the interview, thank your interviewer(s) for the chance to learn more about the job and the organisation— however you think it went.