Interview Advice

You might be surprised to learn that UK employers report that as many as 75% of candidates perform poorly at interview. In most cases, it comes down to them not having the necessary interview skills rather than them being unsuitable for the job. So if you find interviews a daunting prospect, the following advice should come in quite handy.

Pre-interview Preparation

The first step towards any successful interview is the preparation.

• Research the company and its departments - this will improve your presentation and ensure that you sound confident, organised and motivated. The interviewers will be impressed by your knowledge and the effort you’ve put into your preparation .
• Be sure you know how to get to your interview, and leave plenty of time in which to do it.
• Read the job advertisement or web posting thoroughly and carefully. Be clear about how you meet the criteria asked for, especially when it comes to responsibilities you’ve had and any other abilities that make you a particularly good candidate.
• Study the job description, which outlines in detail the content and duties of the job and the qualities expected of the successful applicant.

The Interview

• Try not to be late, allow yourself plenty of time in case you get lost.
• First impressions count, so dress appropriately.
• Be polite.
• Try to stay focused on the person asking the questions – give them your full attention.
• Sound positive about yourself and your achievements.
• Don’t be negative about your previous employer.
• Give yourself time to think – don’t be afraid to pause if you need to think about your answer.
• Be clear and concise in your communication – try not to ramble.
  Always be prepared to give real life examples to back up any points you make.
  Ask the interviewer for clarification if you’re not sure what they are asking for.
• Focus on your strengths.
• Avoid jargon.
• Don’t under-estimate your skills and abilities.
• If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so. There’s nothing wrong with being honest.
• Always come prepared with questions of your own to ask at the end of the interview. For example you may wish to know about the working environment, whether you’ll be working alone or as part of a larger team, what the prospects for training and promotion are etc. They all show that you’ve given the role some serious thought and are genuinely interested.

Good luck!