Let’s be honest, interviewing can be incredibly nerve wracking! It’s hardly the most natural thing to sit in front of people and not only talk about yourself but also SELL yourself. You need to present yourself in the best possible way in order to stand apart from the competition and to secure the role.
Amplified Talent has worked with graduates all the way through to executives and not matter how experienced you are, it’s never too late to brush up on your interview techniques.
By following these tips you’ll feel more confident, be more prepared and one step closer to securing that dream job.
BEFORE
- Research the company
- Look at their social media platforms (Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook)
- Look out for articles about the company / trade press
- Research who you are meeting with by going on LinkedIn (seeing who you will be meeting can really help calm the nerves)
- Thoroughly understand the job spec
- Be able to talk through your cv (practice with someone before the interview, remember you only have about 20 – 30 minutes at most to convey your experience which isn’t really that long)
- Prepare for those challenging questions (strengths, weaknesses, why this company etc)
- Know the exact breakdown of your current salary package and understand the difference between gross and net.
- Check your notice period
- Google exactly where you have to go and plan your trip (how will you get there, how long will it take, what if there’s traffic, where will you park).
- Think about what you will wear (ask if it’s corporate or smart casual).
- Being presentable is so important so do think about what image you want to portray as well as feeling comfortable and relaxed
DURING
- Arrive at reception no earlier and no later than 5-10 minutes. Getting there late is an absolute NO unless something happened of course but do make sure you speak to your recruiter or call reception to give them warning. Don’t get there too early. This can be just as frustrating for the interviewer as they know you are sat in reception and waiting which isn’t a great way to start a meeting.
- You may have had a long day, feeling tired but you need to put your game face on. Take a moment and freshen up in the bathroom, throw some water on your face and psych yourself up!
- Make sure you make an excellent first impression, starting with the receptionist. (Receptionist see and hear everything so be friendly, act professional and even ask some questions if it feels appropriate)
- Think about where you sit down in the reception room. This may sound silly but try sit so that you are facing the direction that the interviewer is likely to come from. You don’t want them walking up behind you and awkwardly trying to greet you.
- If the receptionist offers you a drink, I generally suggest you say no. The reason being is that you will then have to greet your interviewer and then walk through or climb stairs whilst holding a glass / cup of coffee. I don’t know about you but that just makes it a little messy and awkward.
- If your interviewer is walking towards you make sure you stand up to shake their hand along with a nice wide smile. I cannot tell you how many people have bad handshakes. So make sure your practice at home. Nothing worse than a limp / sweaty handshake.
- When you arrive at the interview room and if you are feeling a little nervous and need a moment to compose yourself then ask the interviewer if they wouldn’t mind grabbing you a glass of water. This gives you a few moments to get yourself sorted and focused.
- BE YOURSELF! Don’t focus on trying to say the right things and being something you aren’t. You’ve got this far and they’ve chosen to meet you based on your cv and experience. Just be yourself and have fun with the meeting. All you are doing is seeing if there is a match there. It’s like dating and you both need to get to know each other.
- Make sure you interview them just as much as they are interviewing you. Candidates often focus too much on trying to say the right thing and how they come across but don’t forget that it’s just as important for you to get to know them. So come with a list of questions that you genuinely want to discuss – culture, training, requirements of the role etc.
- If you think all is going well towards the end make sure to tell them. “Thank you for your time, I’ve loved everything I’ve heard so far”, “this sounds like a fantastic opportunity and I’d love to be considered for it” etc.
AFTER
- Call your recruiter IMMEDIATELY with feedback or if you’ve gone direct then send an email with feedback to the company. Thank them for their time and reiterate why you are keen on the role.
Some of these tips are really basic but so important. Being prepared is so important so do take the time to do your research. Contact Amplified Talent if you require more in-depth advice and lets see how we can help you secure that next role!
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