Preparing for a job interview
BY BUZZ
Last week we wrote about how to write a successful CV. Today we will cover the next stage – what you should do if you get a job interview. This article will cover the preparation for the interview, and what to do on the day, and then next week we will release our final part in this mini-series on jobs which will cover what to do during and after a job interview.
Preparing for the interview
It is important to research the company and the employer in order to learn about them, which can really help in interviews as you can demonstrate your interest in the company by highlighting aspects of it that you really like. It shows dedication if you have taken the time to learn about the company. It can also help you to find out a bit more about the work ethics of the company, which may help you to determine whether or not the job is right for you. If the company have a website with a “meet the team” page with photographs of current staff members, try and memories names for when you meet people. This isn’t particularly important, but if you know a bit about who people are when you meet them, you know what sort of things you can talk to them about.
Using the information you learn, prepare a list of 5-10 questions you could ask the interviewer. Try to memories them. This will help you out a lot during the final stages of the interviewer.
Planning the day
If you are unsure of the date, time or location of the interview then call the company a day or so before the interview to check. Don’t rely on emails – if they don’t reply in time, you’re stuck! Make sure you know the route to the interview location, or ensure you have the correct postcode to put into your Sat Nav. Plan to arrive at the location fifteen minutes early, with the aim to go in to the building ten minutes early. If you know there will be road works along the way, leave a bit earlier – it’s better to be early and have to wait in your car for a while than to arrive late! If you are taking a bus or train, get to the station with plenty of time to spare.
Make sure you know where to go when you get to the location – do you have to check in at reception?
Ensure that you dress appropriately. Dress smart – no jeans or trainers! For men, a suit is best, including smart shoes. It is up to you to judge whether it would be appropriate to wear a tie or not. For women, a (longer than knee-length) dress or blouse and smart trousers is best. If you have long hair, consider tying it back so that you don’t “hide” behind it when the interviewer is asking you questions. Don’t overdo your make-up or perfume!
Lastly, make sure you know what exactly is expected of you at the interview – for example, do you need to prepare a presentation? It is always a good idea to take a printed copy of your CV to offer to the interviewer, and a copy of your portfolio if the type of job usually requires them (e.g. design related jobs).
Next week we will cover how to perform well in a job interview, and the usual things that will happen during the interview.
