Job Interviews

Many people find that job interviews can be the most terrifying part of a whole employment process. Being questioned by an unfamiliar face, while trying to sell yourself to the employer and look presentable all at the same time can be a terribly stressful process.

The following advice should stand you in good stead to perform at your best when being interviewed. There is also a useful diagram to ensure you are completely prepared for the interview.

Step 1

Do your research

Find out as much as you can about your employer and the job your going for. You may want to ask the employer for an information pack or if they have a website look online. Try to find out:

What the business make, do or sell
Who their customers are.
Has there been anything related to them or their line of work in the news recently (this may be a talking points at the interview!)
What exactly the job will entail and how can you best fit your skills to what is on offer.

This is the perfect stage to start forming some questions you may like to ask your possible future employer. It's always a good idea to look like you've done your research and are genuinely interested in the company when you get to interview.

Step 2

Plan your Journey

You may want to take a trip to the interview location a few days before the big day. Check how long the journey takes and remember to account for changes in traffic – what takes twenty minutes on a Sunday afternoon may take a lot longer first thing on Monday morning! You may also want to make a note of where to park.

If you're using public transport be sure to check bus routes well in advance and make sure you plan to arrive well in advance. The last thing you want is a broken down bus ruining your chances of getting that dream job!

Attendance is key so make sure you plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before your due to start. First impressions count! Always have a back up plan! If something goes wrong at the last minute you need to know you can still make it in time.

Step 3

What to wear?

What you decide to wear will depend in part on the type of position you're going for. You don't need to spend lots of money and time shopping around for a new outfit – just make sure you look neat, clean and respectable. First impressions do count for something, but your outfit isn't really what's important to the employer. You may want to get your clothes ready in advance – it will be one less thing to worry about on the day.

Step 4

The interview itself

The more you have prepared for the interview, and the better informed you are the less you'll need to worry about unexpected surprises. Before the interview arrives it may be useful to find out:

How long the interview is likely to last
How many people will be interviewing you
Who will be interviewing you (future manager/personnel manager?)
Whether you need to prepare anything (e.g a presentation).

If you have a disability be sure to let the employer know so he/she can make the necessary arrangements.

Try to prepare anything and everything you will need to take with you to the interview beforehand. Items could include:

A copy of your CV
A copy of your application
Reference(s) from previous employers
Certificates
Notes or cards you have made to help remind you of key points you want to talk about.

Step 5

Preparing for questions

You may want to list a few of the questions that are likely to come up and prepare basic answers to them. Asking a friend/family member to give you a quick interview may give you a feel for what's to come and increase your confidence.

Don't expect to be able to prepare answers to every question they throw at you. Employers are often known to throw in the odd question that you weren't expecting to see if you can think on your feet. Remember: don't over rehearse! You don't want to sound like you've memorised all of your answers.

Step 6

Try to Relax!

Try to stay as calm and relaxed as possible. Remember the people interviewing you are humans too and have probably been through countless interviews themselves so they know how you must be feeling! They are expecting you to be slightly nervous – if you weren't they may think that you weren't really interested or were over confident. Remember: the better prepared you are the more relaxed you'll feel.

The diagram below summarises the key points above, and can be a helpful guide when making sure you are completely ready for your interview.

The purpose of this website is to provide general information and views to help you make you own judgements. While every care is taken in preparing this information, we do not assume any responsibility, including legal responsibility, to those who read the information on this website and then choose to take it into account when making any decisions.