Interview Advice – You can never be too prepared!

Preparing for an interview

A job interview can be a daunting experience whether on the phone, digital or face to face. No matter how confident you feel you are it is easy to crumble under pressure. Nerves can get the better of you, and instead of bringing your A-game you become a blabbering reck. Never fear though, providing you are well prepared you will have nothing to worry about.  Over the years, we have built up the knowledge to help you and we have pulled out the best bits to help you out.

You can never be too prepared!

Your details have been sent and have impressed the company enough to see you for interview. This is now your chance to impress them and confirm all the things they liked on your CV!

You will be fully briefed by your consultant before any interview arranged by YourRecruit Group Ltd.

Top Tips

Dress professionally

Be prepared

Give clear and concise answers, don’t waffle

Speak confidently and remember to sell yourself

Give a firm handshake, lots of eye contact and smile

Thank the interviewer and express your interest in the role at the end

Research

• If you are knowledgeable about the company, you will come across as proactive and committed.
• Visit the company website for up-to-date information.
• Read any information given to you by your consultant.
• Before your interview familiarise yourself with the job description. Job descriptions are often quite limited and need expanding on in interview but will give you a good basis.
• Use LinkedIn to research the company and your interviewer.

Your CV

Read your CV again. Be prepared to talk in more detail about your experience. If you have gaps in your CV or have not stayed in a job for long make sure you can give positive reasons.

Plan Your Journey

Aim to arrive 15 minutes early allowing plenty of time for the journey and interview itself.  Make sure you know where you are going and plan your route!

Dress Code

Dress smartly and professionally.  Although some companies have now adopted dress down policies a suit is usually advisable. It is crucial to be well turned out and neat.  Some very corporate companies do not like excessive jewellery, open toed shoes etc.  Remember to wear hosiery if you are a lady and your legs are showing.  These days you may be attending a digital interview and remember to follow these rules for at least the part of your body on show.   We advise that even if the interview is digital, you dress in exactly the same way you would for a full face to face interview.

Smoking

We appreciate that attending an interview can be a stressful and nervous time, but please do your best to eliminate any smoking odours before your interview.  Please keep your interview clothes away from a smoking environment, if you do need to smoke before your interview, please ensure that this is outside, not in the car on the way there, and not whilst wearing your interview clothes!

It can be very off-putting if you are a non-smoking interviewer and somebody walks in that that has clearly just had a cigarette before their interview, please remember first impressions are very important.

What they may ask you….

• Tell me about a time you felt under pressure?
• Tell me about a time when you needed to complete 3 tasks at the same time, how did you prioritise?
• How would you deal with an irate customer?
• Tell me about a time when you altered your behaviour to fit a situation?
• Describe an instance when your work was criticised?
• Tell me how you influence your colleagues?
• Tell me about your hobbies?
• How do you handle pressure/stress?
• How do your managers motivate you?
• What makes you a good communicator?
• What makes you think you are the best candidates for this job?
• What will you do if I don’t offer you this position?
• Why do you want to leave your current position?

Questions you can ask them…

• What have you enjoyed most about working here?
• How would you describe the work culture here?
• How can I be successful in the role on offer?
• Why does this role matter to the growth of the company?
• What would I be doing that makes your job easier?
• What does the training process look like?
• What is the biggest challenge you have had working there?

Finally, be confident, do not doubt yourself.  Remember there has been something on your CV that has prompted the client to interview you and now it is over to you to impress.  Give yourself the best possible chance by following the simple steps we have shown you.  You will be surprised how many candidates arrive late or get to an interview with totally no idea of what the company do and remember first impressions cannot be changed!!!  Smile, be confident and use your body language in a positive way, with lots of eye contact, shoulders back and relax!

Good luck and our team are here to help you make the most of your interview so don’t hesitate to speak to your consultant.