Going to a job interview can for some of us can be a bit nerve-wracking. There are however things you can do to feel more confident about the job interview process. Much of this has to do with being properly prepared so you can put your best foot forward.
Before the interview
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Read the advertisement and job description thoroughly. Think about how your skills, experience, qualifications, and personal characteristics match the requirements. It’s valuable to prepare examples from your experience that demonstrate the attributes you can offer and why the employer should hire you ahead of other applicants.
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Find out as much information as you can about the organisation. Research their website, industry websites, advertising and promotional material and ask around your network. You could visit their premises to get a feel for their style and culture.
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Potential employers may ask you situational or behavioural questions - these often start with “tell us about a time when......”. They will want you to give them specific examples detailing exactly what you did in the scenario and what the outcome was. Here are some examples of these types of questions.
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Find out whether there’ll be any assessment tasks and the type of interview to expect, e.g informal, formal, panel etc. You can ask the employer these questions when they’re organising the interview.
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Prepare a list of questions you have for the employer. The interview is a two-way process, so it’s important that you ask relevant questions of the interviewers. Here are some good examples.
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Make sure you know the exact location of the interview, figure out the best route to get there and how long it will take so you’ll arrive on time.
On the day
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Be sure to dress appropriately - regardless of the role it is important to present yourself in a professional manner.
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Arrive on time - don’t arrive too early and definitely avoid being late.
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If you’re relying on public transport, get the earlier bus/train/ferry, and have a back-up plan. If you’re driving, make sure you know where to park and leave in plenty of time in case you encounter traffic delays.
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Bring a copy of your CV. Even if you’ve already supplied this to the employer; you should bring it with you to refresh your memory and act as a prompt if needed.
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Bring a pen (and spare pen) and paper so you can take notes.
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Bring a water bottle in case you get a dry mouth, nerves can do that
During the interview
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Turn your phone off.
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Try to stay calm and focused.
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Use appropriate language, don’t swear or curse or be too informal.
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Don’t be too modest; if you’ve had achievements in previous jobs, tell the interviewer.
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Be yourself.
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Look directly at people when answering their questions.
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When asked a question, if you don’t know an answer right away, pause and think rather than rambling. And if you have a mind blank ask if you can come back to it later in the interview.
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Ask any questions you’ve prepared.
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At the end of the interview ask what are the next steps? When will you be advised of the outcome?
After the interview:
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Think about what you’ve learnt from the interview. Does the role seem like a good opportunity for you? If not, it’s a good idea to let the interviewer know as soon as possible.
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If you have further questions about the role then it’s usually no problem to reach out and ask the interviewer, normally via an email to allow them to respond at a time that suits.
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If you’re told that you have not been selected for the role, make sure you ask for some feedback on your interview, this may provide some helpful insights.
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Remember, even if you’re not successful in getting this job consider it great practice and a confidence boost for the next one!
