Guide to Interview Success
Top 5 Tips…To get your interview off on the right foot.
TIP NO.1
DO YOUR RESEARCH
Preparation is essential! Do some
research and impress the interviewer with your knowledge!
Consider…
Company
- who they are
- history – founders, successes
- what they do
Role
- expectations
- rewards
- training
Market
- Company position in the market
- Products
- Competitors
Location
- Make sure you know exactly where you are going and how long it
will take to get there – DON’T BE LATE!
If you know what you are talking about
it will give you that extra confidence boost and will prepare you
for any questions the interviewer may throw at you!
The best place to start your research….the
internet!
TIP NO.2
DRESS TO IMPRESS
Acceptable Outfits
Business suits are a must or in the least
trousers/skirts in a combination with a shirt
Piercings
Always apply the less is more moto: A few are
ok but one in each ear is most appropriate for an interview.
Tattoos
Keep tattoos hidden
Jewellery
Don’t dazzle with your bling, keep it
discreet
Make up
Keep it subtle!
TIP NO.3
GET THE BASICS RIGHT
Always…
- Make eye contact
- Shake hands
- If you know their name – use it!
- Smile and keep smiling!
TIP NO.4
SPEAK CLEARLY AND CONSISELY
Speak clearly and confidently! Try and
maintain a comfortable level of eye contact throughout.
Be friendly, polite and enthusiastic.
You need to let the interviewer know that you really want the
job!
- Show you’re interested and be positive
- Avoid yes/no answers but don’t waffle
- Listen to the question and
think before you speak
- Speak clearly
- Don’t fidget
- Most importantly… be
yourself!
TIP NO 5
QUESTIONING
The interviewer wants to find the best person for their
business; your job is to convince them that it’s YOU!
- Use open questions – these gather information i.e. who, what,
why, when, which, how, where
- Closed questions – used only to qualify information e.g. Is the
job in London?
- Try writing out a list of questions that you think the
interviewer would ask and prepare possible answers… you could be
asked about university life, interests, career aspirations,
strengths/ weaknesses and where you want to be in 5 years.
- Ask questions yourself. As long as they
are relative to the situation this shows your interest. Ask about
the role, progression, training/support and the company
culture.
- Try typing out the questions you would like to ask before the
interview – this shows organisation!