A job interview can be a stressful experience and most people dread them, but remember a job interview is your chance to shine and show what you’re capable of and it’s the last hurdle in your search for a new job. The secret to a successful interview is preparation – do your homework and an interview can be a positive, useful experience.

Preparation

It helps to know a little bit about the company that you want to work for, so before your interview do some research:

• Look at the company website
• Read the annual report
• Read at least one decent broadsheet newspaper each day for any mention of the company
• Quiz anyone you know who has worked there

Then, be ready with a few questions for the interviewer which show that you have done your homework.

Before the day

• Check the format of the interview – for example will there be any personality or skills testing?
• Read through your CV and application letter and take additional copies
• Check buses/trains/parking/directions

At the interview

Do:

• Turn up on time
• Be nice to everyone you meet from the receptionist onwards – you never know who might have a say in your appointment
• Make the most of your research – mention some of the facts you have gleaned
• Make sure you talk to everyone if it is a panel interview rather than directing your answers at one or two people only
• Find out as much as you can about the job – how else will you be able to decide if they make you an offer? For example, you should want to know who the job reports to and why it has become vacant

Don’t:

• Be late – in fact, try to arrive early
• Criticise current or previous employers
• Answer a question with another question
• Interrupt the interviewers – although they may interrupt you
• Leave without finding out when you will hear if you have made it to the next round of the recruitment process, and what that will involve

Clothes and appearance

What you wear speaks volumes. A job interview, however, is a time for your experience, skills and qualifications to speak for you, not your clothes. Follow these simple rules and you shouldn’t go wrong:

• Wear something conservative, smart and clean
• Wash your hair and trim your nails
• Don’t wear too much make-up or jewellery

After it’s over

If you think the interview went really well, send off a quick note to say thanks within a couple of days. Don’t gush, but say how much you enjoyed the chance to meet them. Say you look forward to hearing from them and that if they need any more information they can contact you.

A job interview needn’t be a distressing experience. Prepare yourself well, know what you’re going to say and look the part. If you do all those things, your confidence should be so high that half the battle will be won before you even step through the door!