No interview is the same and each company will have their own style and format for interviews, however the more prepared you are, the more confident you will appear and feel. Google reported recently that 93% of candidates admit to experiencing job interview anxiety at some point in their career and 41% of candidates worry about not being able to answer a difficult question. Irrelevant of experience or seniority, anyone can experience pre interview nerves. At Bond Williams, we aim to provide our candidates with as much relevant information and practical advice related to the role and company you are applying for.
However, the following advice can be broadly applied to any interview situation.
Pre interview preparation
As the saying goes, if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. It’s surprising how many people go for interviews without refamiliarising themselves with the job description of the role and the company they are applying for.
You only get one chance to make a good first impression, so prior to the interview, make sure you follow our top tips below.
- Re Familiarise yourself with your application and the job description – You were offered an interview based on the experience and skills conveyed in your CV and covering letter, so remind yourself of what you said. Have practical examples to back up your claims and prepare some examples of successes and skills you have that are transferable to this role. Read through the job description again and consider making notes next to each requirement.
- Research – Make sure you conduct some background research on the company and its people, especially those who are interviewing you. It is important that you are aware of exactly what the company do and what industry they are operating in and even who its competitors are. Company websites, search engines and even social media are excellent sources of information.
- Plan your journey– Know where you are going and if possible, do a trial run to the interview location beforehand. Don’t arrive too early, but certainly don’t be late and make sure you know where to park if you are driving, or how far the walk is from the nearest bus or train station.
- Prepare for the day– Make a note of who you are seeing so you know who you need to ask for. Take a printed copy of your CV and a portfolio of work if applicable to the role. Write down some questions in advance. Plan your outfit and dress the part. If the role is office-based and commercial, don’t be afraid to look smart. If the job is of a manual nature, you could tone the dress code down, but still ensure you dress appropriately for the role you are applying for. In our opinion smarter is always better.
The interview
On the day of the interview, if you have done the preparation, you can put nerves to one side, giving you the confident to know you are well prepared.
Here’s our step-by-step guide for a successful interview.
- Start by asking for the right person and make sure you smile.
- Give a good and firm handshake and make eye contact when you meet your interviewer or the person greeting you.
- Body language plays a big part during the interview. Be aware of how you sit during the interview, ensure you have good posture and don’t fold your arms, for example. If you are nervous keep your hands on your lap under the table and try not to fidget. Try to maintain eye contact throughout. If there is more than one person present during the interview, which is often the case, ensure you respond to both parties when answering questions to show you can build relationships. Even if one is there to take notes.
- Be confident, be yourself and be enthusiastic. The client has taken the time out to read your CV and has put time aside to interview you, so they are obviously interested in finding out more.
- Avoid ‘yes’ or ‘no’ answers or using slang or abbreviated language. Where possible, support your answers with specific examples or previous experience.
- Listen and don’t be afraid to ask for something to be repeated if you don’t understand the question, need clarification or a moment to gather your thoughts.
- Be Positive – even if your past employment experience wasn’t the best don’t dwell on the negatives, no one likes to hear someone be negative and detrimental about their past employers.
- The interviewer is very likely to ask you why you are interested in the job, be ready to explain why you are interested in the role, how you are suited to it and what skills you can bring to the position.
- Show that you are knowledgeable about the company by giving good examples.
- Ask relevant questions about the role, skills requirements, duties and the company. Show you are interested, you have done your research and that you are knowledgeable about the company.
At the end of the interview
At the end of the interview, thank them for their time and if you are still interested in the role let them know. Ask when you can expect to hear from them, when they expect to make a decision and when are they looking for someone to start. You could also ask how many people they are interviewing and what the next stage will be if you are successful. Don’t forget to say goodbye to other members of the team if they were part of the interview or looked after you.
After the interview
Please call your Bond Williams recruitment consultant as soon as you can after the interview. We’d like to know how you thought the interview went and if you’re still interested in the role. We will also ask clients for their feedback as well. In addition, you may have questions resulting from the interview that you forgot to ask or didn’t feel it appropriate to ask, and we can help you with that. Ultimately, our aim is to secure a successful outcome for both parties and quickly, so two-way open communication is best.
