Preparation Notes

  • Know time and location for interview
  • Know names of people conducting the interview
  • Find out all you can about company - doing your homework on the company puts you ahead of other candidates
  • Find out all you can about interviewers - know their fields of expertise e.g. HR, technical, etc.
  • Think about questions you may be asked. Think about the concerns an employer might have about you - put yourself in the employers shoes and prepare to answer questions on his/her concerns
  • Rehearse answers to these questions - respond out loud or have someone ask you the questions and listen to your answers
  • Spend between 20 seconds and 2 minutes answering prepared/employers questions - any longer and your message gets lost
  • Prepare one or two simple, clear 'messages' that you want to get across
  • Think about questions you want to ask
  • Bring a copy of cv/application form/job advert/references
  • Do not badmouth your previous employers/teachers during the interview.
  • Arrange to get there early
  • Dress neatly and appropriately for the job

Know yourself

  • List 3- 4 of your strengths
  • List 3- 4 of your achievements
  • List the skills / experiences you could bring to this new job

Know all about your previous work experience:

  • List 3 advantages you gained from each of your previous work experiences
  • Be prepared to briefly explain the business of each of your past employers

Know all about your education and qualifications:

  • Be prepared to explain clearly and simply what you studied
  • Be able to show how such learning might help the hiring organisation

Know about the hiring company:

  • Find out all you can about the hiring company, their business, their products, their services, their customers, etc.
  • Show that you have done this research - it always impresses

The interview:

  • Show initiative and participate in the interview - it doesn't have to be a question (by the interviewer) and answer (by the interviewee) session.
  • Make it a 2 way encounter
  • The speaking at interview should be 50 : 50. If you find yourself doing more than 50% of the talking, find ways to engage the interviewers, draw them out more.
  • Use the beginning or end of the interview to get your 'messages' across

Reading the above information will give you a taster of what to expect in an upcoming interview. Preparation is key. Flicking through a list of information or answering questions in your head may not necessarily count for constructive preparation. To make the best use of your time and energy into interview preparation and to make sure you give yourself the best possible chance of being offered any job to go for, contact our expert career coaches. They will work hand-in-hand with you, taking on board your particular needs and concerns to prepare properly for an interview. To Book a 1-1 Career Coaching session, click here