No matter how many you may have been to, interviews are always a daunting prospect. Thorough interview preparation can help to ease your stress and provide you with the best possible chance of convincing the interviewer that you are the best candidate for the job. Remember, your CV only gets you to the interview; it's the interview that gets you the job!
As an experienced recruitment consultancy, here are our 10 tips for successful interview preparation:
1. Do Your Research
A big part of your interview preparation should include researching the company; its mission, values, products/services and accomplishments. It is also beneficial to look wider and be aware of the latest developments in the industry and the company's competitors. An employer will always find it impressive if you have researched their company and can discuss what specific change and benefits you can bring to them.
2. Anticipate Questions, but Don't Rehearse Answers
“Why did you apply for the role?”, “Why should I hire you?” and “How can you use your previous experience for the role?” are some of the most typical interview questions As part of your preparation, also think about behavioural questions that are intended to ascertain how you will behave in certain situations: “What would you do in the following scenario..?“ or “Give us an example of how you would handle a certain situation?”. It’s tricky to prepare for such questions but it’s worth thinking about particular situations that you have handled well and your past achievements. Read the job description very carefully to understand what kind of personality they are looking for.
Although it is important to anticipate questions and think about possible answers in advance, try not to rehearse them too much. When you're nervous, you might fall into the trap of providing prepared answers without actually answering the question. Remain flexible and adapt your answers.
3. Be Skill Specific
Candidates often read through their entire CV during their interview, forgetting that the interview presents an opportunity to draw on their most relevant experience and expand on it for the interviewer. You should know your CV inside out for referral purposes - don't just read it. Always have examples ready to support every statement you make.
4. Know Your Audience
Get to know your interviewers before the interview: their role within the company, their previous experience, particular interests and aspirations. Don’t forget that an interview is a two-way interaction. If you understand the person/people interviewing you, it should help you to build a rapport with them and aid them in picturing you as part of the team. Social media is your best friend in this instance; use LinkedIn to research your potential new employers.
5. Deep Clean Your Social Media
Speaking of social media, don't forget that nowadays employers are likely to research their job applicants’ personality through LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. As part of your interview preparation review and modify the information that is public on your social media; check out our guide on making sure your Facebook profile doesn't cost you your job.
6. Look the Part
They're not the be all and end all, but first impressions count. You have been invited to the interview, so clearly you have the right skills and experience, but are you a great cultural fit?
If you have done step one of your preparation properly, or have spoken to your recruitment consultant, you should have a good idea of the company culture and the appropriate dress code. If you are unsure, it is better to be slightly over-dressed than under-dressed And, of course, always make good eye contact, give a firm hand shake and smile.
7. Interview the Interviewer
7. Interview the Interviewer
How many of us have written “emergency” questions before an interview (when we're not really interested in the answers) simply to allow us to say something when an interviewer asks "have you got any questions?". Although it’s essential to think of questions in advance, they should really relate to your discussion during the interview.
Remember that your interview also allows you to determine if this is the right opportunity for you. Don’t ask questions about the salary and benefits first. Of course, these are important, but you should decide if the role is right for you first.
8. Eliminate Unnecessary Stress
Remember that your interview also allows you to determine if this is the right opportunity for you. Don’t ask questions about the salary and benefits first. Of course, these are important, but you should decide if the role is right for you first.
8. Eliminate Unnecessary Stress
Remove unnecessary stress by preparing your travel arrangements beforehand. Plan your route and allow extra time for any unexpected delays. Be sure to get everything you need to take with you ready the night before so that you don't arrive late.
9. Use Your Recruitment Consultant
If you are using one, your recruitment consultant will be keen for you to be successful and will assist your interview preparation greatly. A good recruitment consultancy will have an established relationship with the company you are going to be interviewed by and will be able to give you a brief note on what they are looking for.
If you are using one, your recruitment consultant will be keen for you to be successful and will assist your interview preparation greatly. A good recruitment consultancy will have an established relationship with the company you are going to be interviewed by and will be able to give you a brief note on what they are looking for.
10. Get Confident!
Putting some time and effort into your interview preparation will give you the best possible chance of getting the job you want. Shake off some of those nerves and believe that you have what they're looking for!
Want more tips and advice?
Download the full Sanderson guide to perfecting job interviews
Learn how to write a successful CV
Want more tips and advice?
Download the full Sanderson guide to perfecting job interviews
Learn how to write a successful CV
