Interview Tips

Before the interview:

Ensure that you have done appropriate research into the company. Do they have a website you could look at to find out further information? What about the library? Or you could ask the Company itself for further information – this demonstrates initiative.

Ensure you know as much as possible about the position for which you are applying and re-familiarise yourself with your CV. Take a copy of your CV with you to the interview for your own use.

Ensure you know where you are going and who you are asking for. Lateness never impresses.

Ensure you have with you any information you have been requested to bring such as identification, proof of qualifications, referee details etc. Present such information neatly in a file if appropriate.

At interview ensure:

You are tidy and well-groomed. Wear appropriate business dress and ensure it is clean, well ironed and that your shoes are polished. First impressions really do count and to be remembered as “the candidate with the mucky shoes” is not the best recommendation for any position.

Give a firm hand shake – this shows you mean business and have confidence in yourself. No painful grips though!

Keep eye contact throughout your meeting – this is crucial. It is very disconcerting to have a conversation with someone who is looking at the floor. You will appear rude and disinterested if you cannot look the interviewer in the eye.

Think beforehand of any questions you may like to ask. If these are not covered in the interview then ask them at the end. This shows the interviewer that you have actually given some thought to the position and are genuinely interested.

Don’t ramble or be monosyllabic. Keep your answers concise but don’t give one-word answers. LISTEN to the question and answer it efficiently.

Never say “Can you tell me how long this will take as I haven’t got much time?”. This gives the impression that you have other, far more important, places to be.

Remember if you are going to be late for an interview or have decided not to attend for whatever reason, you should always let the Company know. If you don’t show up and then need to apply to the same company again in the future, the chances of them granting you another interview will be anything from slim to non-existent.

At the end of the interview thank your interviewer/s for taking the time to see you. Shake hands and depart.

Remember that interviews are a two-way process. As well as you being assessed it is also a time when you can assess whether the company or position in question is the correct one for you.

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