How to Prepare for an Interview

You’ve secured an interview (congratulations!) and now you need to prepare. When it comes to an interview, you can never be too prepared. It is natural to feel nervous but remember: if you’ve secured an interview then you have conquered the competition so far, so let that confidence boost sink in and let’s get to work!

Step 1 – Research the organization

You know the basics but now is the time to really do your research. Consider aspects such as the size of the company? What are their current and future projects? What is their ethos? Read through their website and social media platforms as they are full of relevant information. Bringing this knowledge into your interview can really add value to the conversation and help differentiate yourself from other candidates. Looking at the company’s mission statement will give you a good summary of their values and culture.

Step 2 – Research the role

The job description is your best friend. Not only will it give you a thorough overview of the duties and personal qualities required but it will help you recognise exactly what the employer is looking for. Use this to tailor your answers accordingly and prove why you would be a great fit for the role.

Step 3 – Prepare your answers

Interview questions can be unpredictable, but you can prepare answers for commonly asked questions as seen below.

“Tell me about yourself”

Remember your employer does not care about your favourite sandwich – keep it professional. Instead tell them about things that will emphasise your personality and capability for the job. This is your opportunity to sell yourself in under a minute. Sum up any relevant education, work experience or passions to express how you are suited for the role. Express why you want to utilise these skills into the role and apply it to the work setting.

“Why do you want to work for us?”

Highlight why the job interests you, combining this with information on your CV. Show your enthusiasm and determination for the role. The employer will want to see that they are investing in someone who cares.

“What are your weaknesses”

The employer is looking for authenticity here so be honest. Show how you turned your weakness into a positive and how you have overcome this by becoming self-aware of your weakness resulting in a good outcome. When answering any question, use the STAR method. Situation – set the scene, Task – explain the task, Action – what you did, Result – the outcome) see here for more info.

Step 4 – Think of your questions for the interviewer

At the end of every interview you will be asked if you have any questions, do not say no! Asking thoughtful questions about the position and the company is an easy way to make a great first impression. Prepare multiple questions to show you are engaged and interested in learning more about the company and its culture – write them down! Great questions to ask your interviewer include “What’s your favourite thing about working for this company?” or “If I was successful, what would my first 12 months look like?”

Step 5 – Prepare travel arrangements

Know where the interview is taking place and how you will get there. Is there accessible parking onsite? What are the transport links? Once you know how long your planned route will take, leave early to account for any traffic or delays. Have your interviewers phone information so that in the event of an unexpected travel issue you can call them and inform them of the problem with as much notice as possible as a professional courtesy. Ensure you fill your car with fuel the night before – you don’t want to be doing this in your interview outfit!

Step 6 – Pack and dress accordingly

Plan your interview outfit – first impressions count. Ensure your outfit is clean and crease-free (and it fits!) Don’t forget about the little things, this is something that people notice e.g., clean, polished fingernails, simple jewellery, and shined shoes. Prepare your bag or briefcase – bring print outs of your CV for everyone on the panel and some spares, a notepad, a pen, umbrella, mints etc. Knowing you look the part will lift your confidence and help you give your best performance.

Step 7 – Get some sleep!

You’ve practiced countless times with friends and family, tried your outfit on and packed your bag. Now is time to get some rest ahead of the big day. We wish you good luck in your interview.

Not at the first stage yet? Don’t worry, you soon will be. Search for your dream job in our current vacancies and take the first step.