Interview Tips

When you are invited in to an interview, it means that the manager believes you may be a good match for the job they are offering, and he or she wants to know for sure.

The interview is used to determine whether you are suitable for the position.

Do not leave the interview to chance. Think of it as an opportunity to present yourself to the company. It is a chance for you to prove yourself in front of the interviewer, so you should come fully prepared.

Before the Interview
Preparing for an interview is the key process and will often be the difference between success and failure. Good preparation will give you an idea of what to expect and give you a confidence boost which will take you through it.

So how should you prepare?

Checklist

• Make sure you have a confirmation of the date, time and location of the interview, and also who the interviewer is if necessary.
• If you are asked to take certificates, references etc., get them ready the day before.
• Be on time! Plan how to get there no earlier than half an hour before the interview time. Public Transport may be inadequate if there is heavy traffic.
• Always keep in mind, that you never get a second change to make a first impression, so be on time.
• Be ready with what you are going to wear which should always be professional.

Find out everything you can about the company
You can search for the company profile and also gather the latest information on them by checking out their website, which may provide more background information. Interviewers will expect you to have an understanding of what the company does. You should also prepare questions you want to ask them about what they do.

Role Research
You need to make sure you fully understand the job description and know how it fits in to the company structure. If you have any queries about this, then try to bring up questions during the interview as you go along. Think of the key skills that the job requires and think of examples of occasions when you have demonstrated those skills.

On the day of the interview
You can never predict the questions that you will be asked, so approach the interview with a list of important points. The fewer surprises on the day, the better. Create a list of points about yourself that you want the interviewer to know about. Also review your CV and think of specific questions you may be asked by the interviewer and also prepare your own questions about the company and the job.

On the next page are a few questions to think about before entering for the interview and how they are to be answered.

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