No matter how well qualified you are on paper the interviewer is interested in you and your personality. You’ve come this far – present yourself poorly at interview and you risk throwing it all away. It is vital to give a good interview – particularly if there are a number of applicants for just one job. With some simple preparation and thought you can conquer those nerves and present your skills ensuring you shine on the day.
When in the interview, if there is something wrong, for example the sun is in your eyes, make sure you say something to the interviewer. You’ve done well to get here, do not let anything put you off your top form.
When you meet your interviewer make sure you are standing up, offer your hand for a firm handshake, smile and have a line such as “Pleased to meet you” ready to be delivered with confidence. If you get in a lift or are walking to an interview room try to make a positive comment and small talk – you need to start building rapport to maximise your chance of success. Just being cheerful and positive will truly make all the difference.
If you meet more than one interviewer greet them in turn and make sure you memorise their names. During the interview always look at and address the person who has asked the question to which you are responding.
Good body language is vital throughout the interview. Sit upright in your chair, keep you feet flat on the floor and your hands in your lap (this will minimise displays of nerves). You must answer all questions clearly and with confidence and you should aim for good eye contact throughout, however, avoid staring at the interviewer!
A standard interview will normally start with an “ice-breaker” – an easy question about your journey or an offer of tea, coffee or water. Each interview is different but it will often then move into general questioning about yourself and your career history. Provision of general information on the company and team, role or department can follow and then the opportunity for you to ask your questions.
Make sure you know your CV and are prepared for questions. Ensure you have also read the job description and understood what the interviewer is looking for. You should plan out what types of questions the interviewer may ask and your responses. It is important to deliver your answers with confidence. Write them down, learn them and practice delivering them in front of a mirror. Remember to speak slowly and clearly.
LISTEN to the question being asked. Sometimes people are so quick to want to respond they don’t hear the question properly. Before you respond think through what has been asked and how you can best answer, drawing on the experience you have gained in your work or personal life. If you need time to think take a sip of water, remember you want a composed, confident response. Avoid one word answers at all costs!
If you’ve said something you didn’t mean or are unhappy with – say so. Don’t be afraid to clarify what you meant – it could make all the difference.
Make sure you are enthusiastic at all times – even if you have reservations. Your reservations may be unfounded and it is too early to jump to conclusions. If the interviewer thinks you are not interested you will be ruled out automatically!
This is one of the most important parts of the interview because it shows your level of interest and how much you have understood the role on offer. Make sure you have prepared questions to ask. DO NOT ask about salary.
Some example questions include:
The interviewer will close the interview and may tell you what will happen next. If not, ask them what happens. If you are interested in the job make sure you tell them.
Leave the interview as you entered it – a very positive handshake, smile, thank them for their time and say that you look forward to hearing from them.