Interview Advice

Chances are, you've heard this advice before, but it's a golden rule: fail to plan and you plan to fail. You should absolutely expect questions about the company, so dive into your research - check out last year's profits, the newest product launches, and stay updated on industry trends so that you can chat with confidence. If you can, try to familiarise yourself with your interviewer a bit. LinkedIn is your friend here - it's a treasure trove of info about your interviewers and other people in the organisation, giving you insights into their background, previous roles, and education.

While job interviews don't always follow a one-size-fits-all pattern, certain questions tend to make a consistent appearance. It's a smart move to gear up for these expected queries. Devote some time to crafting thoughtful responses about your personal strengths and areas for growth. Moreover, have a clear pitch ready about why you're the ideal candidate for the position.

It's also crucial to truly know your own CV inside out. You'd be surprised how often interviewees stumble when asked about their career history. Taking a little extra effort to familiarize yourself with your journey can go a long way in projecting confidence and coherence during the interview.

This is really basic, but it is worth reiterating because it will have an impact if you get it wrong. Appearances matter, you are often judged before you've even uttered a word. Make sure your shoes are polished, your clothes fit correctly and that your accessories are subtle. Ensure you have a pen and pad, it is incredibly basic, but people do forget these.

You should always have some questions for your interviewer to demonstrate your interest in the position. Prepare a minimum of five questions, some which will give you more information about the job, and some which delve deeper into the culture and goals of the company.

Good preparation is the key to staying in control. Plan your route, allowing extra time for any unexpected delays, and get everything you need to take with you the night before such as extra copies of your CV, a pen, folder (not a cheap pen and a scrap of paper), your portfolio (if applicable) and any supporting documents to enhance your application. Remember to speak clearly, smile and remember that your interviewers are just normal people, they may be nervous too!