As part of Think Employment’s Careers and Aspirations week, we are giving you 5 top tips to help you stand out at your next interview. Interviewing for a job can be nerve-wracking, but with these tips, you’ll be prepared in no time.
You’ve done the hard bit, conducting job searches and filling out numerous application forms. All you have to do now is impress at the interview, but where do you start?
1. Conduct Research
When you first applied for the vacancy, you probably didn’t think to research the employer themselves. However, it’s important that you conduct basic research so you have knowledge of the company you are interviewing for.
It can be as simple as visiting their website or social media pages. Try to get a feel for the company, what they do and how they do it. Use your initiative to familiarise yourself with the services they offer, you never know, it may come up as a potential question during the interview. As long as you have enough of an understanding of what the company does and the role you have applied for, it will put you in good stead throughout the interview.
2. Anticipate Common Questions
Consider the most likely questions that you are going to be asked before you even get to the interview. This way you are ready and won’t get stuck for something to say. The Muse has put together a list of the most frequently asked interview questions, which will give you some indication of what you might be asked.
There are always questions like, What word describes you best? What has been your biggest achievement? Why do you think you are suitable for this role? The more prepared you are going into an interview, the less nervous you will be.
3. Dress Appropriately
What’s that infamous line again? You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
In regard to a job interview, you only have a short amount of time to ‘sell’ yourself to an employer. The impression you give in the first interview will determine if you get a second one.
Dressing appropriately and looking presentable will only work in your favour. It doesn’t matter if you are interviewing to work in a warehouse or an office, at the very least you should try to dress smart casual, that way you have covered all the bases.
4. Be Punctual
There’s nothing worse than being late to an interview. Remember what we mentioned earlier about first impressions? Well, being late is a sure way of making a bad one. To prevent this, make sure you plan your route to the interview the night before, taking into account travel time and issues such as parking and traffic delays.
It is recommended to get to an interview 10-15 minutes before your designated time slot. Getting to an interview early shows your ability to manage your time and more importantly that you are taking the process seriously. This extra time allows you to compose yourself and fill out any necessary paperwork needed for the interview itself.
5. Ask The Employer Questions
Yes, you are the person being interviewed, but asking the employer a question shows your assertiveness. Employers are often looking for enthusiastic candidates, so whether it’s a question to confirm the salary or the amount of holiday allowance, try to ask them one question towards the end of the interview. This will show your interest in the role and may even make your interview more memorable to the employer.
How our training can help you
At Think Employment, we are all about getting people back into work. So whether you are unemployed or wanting to upskill, our pre-employment training may just be for you. During our training, you will get the chance to have interview coaching in house and support with your job applications all the way through to the day of your interview.
