After 10 years in recruitment it’s fair to say I have seen my fair share of disastrous interviews…

  • The guy smoking so much on the Teams conversation the interviewee couldn’t see him after a few minutes
  • The interviewee going out the wrong door onto the fire escape and having to phone reception to let them back in
  • The idiot who turned up at interview a whole day early (that one was actually myself)

 

Interviews can be stressful whether you are a first-time job hunter or an experienced candidate, and therefore preparation is essential to give you the best chance of getting an offer. But what are the MOST IMPORTANT things you should do to prepare for an interview? Plan your route

  • Be punctual, arrive 10 minutes early and eliminate the stress of running late.
  • If it’s online make sure you are logged in before it is due to start

 

Do your research

  • Don’t just read the ‘about us’ section on the website, find out a few things that aren’t quick and simple to find
  • Have a look at the interviewer on LinkedIn beforehand, what is their background and how long have they been at the company?
  • Who are their clients and competitors?

 

Understand your selling points

  • What makes you an excellent candidate? Match them to the job specification.
  • Be able to quantify them, give examples

 

  Dress appropriately

  • Aim smart, whether face to face or video link.
  • Everyone may be wearing mankinis and sandals on the website, but you only get one chance to make a first impression

 

Anticipate questions and prepare answers beforehand

  • Practice answering common questions
  • Google the STAR method for answering questions in an interview
  • Have questions prepared for the interviewer – https://tinyurl.com/yc8nr9mc

 

  Understand what you are looking for from the company

  • Why do you want this job?
  • Know what salary / package you are looking for
  • Where do you want to be in 3 years, can they offer this?

 

No two interviews follow the same format but being fully prepared for your interview can give you the edge over other potential candidates.

 

By Steve Jorgensen – https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevenrjorgensen/