There are thousands of people out there who are unhappy in their jobs but choose not to change because they don’t want to go through the stress of interviews. However, a little preparation and a few tried and tested techniques can help anyone ace their interview. Whether you’re looking for jobs in Portsmouth, Penzance or Peterborough, follow these top five tips to get the job you deserve.
1. If you want to impress prospective employers then be prepared to do a bit of research into the company you’re applying with. Find out what you can about the services they offer and if you can learn what the ultimate aim of the company is so you can tailor the interview answers you give to suit their ethos. Doing this will also give you a much better idea of whether you’d be suited to the company, you may find that a little research informs you that it’s not the right sort of company for you.
2. Think carefully about what you wear to interview. It’s safe to assume that in most cases business dress will be appropriate but make sure you feel comfortable or you won’t come across well. If you’re applying with a young and funky company then you can afford to dress with a little more personality but a more straight laced firm probably won’t appreciate your hipster tie as much. If you don’t normally dress so smartly make sure you give the outfit you’re planning to wear a try out before the big day to avoid any last minute panic shopping.
3. Make sure you take any relevant paperwork with you that you may need at interview, even if you’ve already sent copies with your application. This could include your CV, some examples of previous work or records of any qualifications you’ve gained. You should also write down some pertinent questions to ask at the end of your interview. Remember, when an employer gives you a job you’re giving them your service too so try to ask questions about how you’ll benefit from a position with them.
4. Always ensure you’ve worked out directions and anything else you might need to know before you set off for your interview so there’s no danger of showing up late. In many cases if you’re late for an interview prospective employers will automatically strike you off their list and even if they don’t it makes for a very negative first impression.
5. During your interview, take time to think before you speak. If you give yourself a moment to gather your thoughts you’re much more likely to give a relevant answer than if you panic and blurt out the first thing that comes into your head. Pause for a moment before you answer questions and you’ll be calmer and much more coherent.
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Lucy Pitt is an employment consultant and commentator who writes for the web on a variety of subjects including interview techniques, trainee jobs and jobs in IT.
