View our video on interview success
If you have an upcoming interview our Careers Consultants are happy to to talk to you to help you prepare, find out how to book an appointmentInterviews
The interview remains a major part of recruitment. Preparation is the essential base for a successful interaction.
How to prepare
- Analyse the job description to identify key requirements and the competences you’ll need to demonstrate.
- Read objective occupational profiles on Prospects.ac.uk to gain an accurate understanding of the role, and talk to any contacts within the industry.
- Research the organisation as much as possible through their website, brochure and directory entries. Look out for press and journal reports but be careful with less favourable or controversial viewpoints. Consider their aims, culture, markets and competitors.
- Consider what is happening in the economy and current affairs in the UK and beyond. Events will affect markets, demand or policies in many job areas including business and the public sector. Many employers will seek your opinions at interview to test your grasp of issues and how you formulate a point of view.
Appearances count
Employers say that the applicant does need to look professional. The idea of clothes being a factor in your success can be a worry and employers sometimes give mixed messages on acceptable styles. Unless you have specific instructions to sport a ripped T-shirt and body piercings, smart and formal remains the best option.
Take some time over subtle details such as shoes and colour because you are your best visual aid. The combination of feeling physically comfortable and appropriately dressed can boost your confidence to make a good first impression. See our guide on What to wear at interviews for useful tips.
Make a good impression
It is important to realise that there is still a major subjective element in any interview situation. How you come across can be as important as what you say. Interviewers know that first impressions are not everything but will often admit to the first few minutes of the interview being crucial to their decision. They may also be asking themselves questions such as can we let them loose on important clients and will they make the tea on an ‘all-nighter’?
Be polite and attentive to everyone you meet at the organisation, particularly reception staff and recent recruits who might give you the official tour. Make a good start to the interview by meeting the interviewer, shaking hands and waiting to be offered the Hot Seat.
It can be difficult to do all these things in a seamless fashion so find the opportunity to practise your skills by participating in some of the sessions listed below.
An interview candidate with attitude
It is also good to consider your approach and feelings towards the interview.
- Be positive, avoiding self-criticism, apologies and moans.
- Be enthusiastic, demonstrating your lust for life, activity and work.
- Be natural to ensure you are communicating comfortably and they see the best of you.
- Be honest to show you have the qualities they seek but can admit to not yet being perfect. If you don’t have all the facts at your fingertips try to move on to safer ground.
Useful websites
- Prospects has useful resources on Interview tips and tests, as well as general information on different industries.
- Jobsite has interactive videos to practice and perfect your interview techniques
- Research the role and the company using interview tips from Targetjobs
- Also see interview tips for Postgraduate Study from Prospects
Events
The following events are available to book through our events system:
- Sign up for a workshops on Interview Techniques
- Attend The Interview Experience
- Book a mock interview with an employer
Resources
- Listen to the Podcast: "Interview Success"
- Watch the Vidcast: "Interview Success"
- Listen to the Podcast: "Telephone Interview"
- Watch our training videos online: "Making an Impact - The Graduate Job Interview" (student login needed) or view this DVD in the Career Zone
- Download a list of Interview questions to help you prepare.
- Useful job interview tips.
- Read our Guide to telephone interviews (.pdf).
- Download a handout on Strengths based interviewing (.pdf)
Job interview advice
If you have an upcoming interview our Careers Consultants are happy to to talk to you to help you prepare. Before you book an appointment please ensure you have:
- Researched the role, the organisation and think through what your best selling points might be for the interview.
- Considered probable interview questions and how you might approach answering them – try to think of a wide range of examples to back up your claims to be a team player or a good communicator etc
- Re-visited your application form or CV and covering letter that you used to get you the interview.
When you have completed these steps you can Book an appointment
What to bring to your appointment
- Bring along details about the interview you would like help to prepare for e.g who the interview is with, how long it will be, type of interview (if known)
- If possible, a copy of the application form or CV you used to get you the interview can be helpful to refer to.
Interview tips
With thanks to CareerPlayer, Graduate Jobs and Career Advice on video
