Congratulations!  In this tough market you’ve reached the interview stage.  Of course this is because you re-visited and improved your CV, and you’ve managed to successfully complete the dreaded online application form (see my earlier blogs!)

What do you do to prepare for the interview?

Research Research Research– Research the company thoroughly on the their website.  What type of company are they? What’s their Culture?  Do they have core values?  How financially successful are they?  Have they won any new work or contracts?  Can you get an idea of what type of people work there?  Investigate if you can find out about the company through other website forums.  Do you know anyone who works in the company?   Can you ask them what it’s like to work for that company?  Do you know anyone who has left the company recently?  Word of mouth will tell you lots of information about the company, but remember to keep it subjective.

Read the Job Description for the position you’re interviewing for again – What’s they key responsibilities for the role.  How well do your skills match that of the Job Description?  What areas do you need to work on?  What areas do you need to research further so you have a basic understanding of the role?

Location – Work out how you’re going to get there.   How long is it going to take?  Make sure you leave in plenty of time.  Turning up late for an interview is a definite no no! Make sure you know exactly which building your interview is in, as the company could have multiple sites.  Work out the commute – is this something you can do every day?

What are you going to wear?– Is it clean and freshly ironed?  Are your shoes polished?  Are you going to wear a tie?  Remember first impressions count.  When you are sitting in reception waiting for your interview, you just never know who will walk past the reception area.

Why are you applying for the job?– Why do you want to work for that company?  Quite often these can be the first questions asked.  Think seriously about your answer, make sure it’s compelling and positive.

Most companies use competency based questions – Do you know what these are?  How would you answer these questions?

What questions are you going to ask at the end? – Have 3 or 4 questions prepared to ask at the end.

Follow Up – Ask for confirmation when you will find out the outcome of the interview.  Ask if they are able to provide you with feedback regardless of the outcome.

Good Manners Count – Send a thank you email to the person who interviewed you.  It’s good manners and gives you another opportunity to reiterate your reasons why you want the job.

Be positive and enthusiastic about the whole process.

For further information please visit my website or get in touch.