Top tips for acing that interview

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job interview

An interview for a new role is almost as likely to be carried out remotely, as it is to be a face-to-face affair these days. However, whichever it is there are still things you can do – or be aware of – to help ensure that you make a positive impression on the interviewer.

Do your homework

Time on research into the company you are being interviewed by, and the job role you are going for, is time well spent. Not only is it useful insight to help you prepare for the interview, but it should also give you an indication as to whether it’s the type of business you would like to work for. Make a note of some questions you would like to ask about the business in your interview, as it shows that you have taken the time to find out about the company and are genuinely interested in the role and what you can bring to it. Also have a think about how your experience and background can be of benefit to the business. If you can show transferable skills or a knowledge of the industry, these will all help your case.

Be prepared

If the interview is taking place in person, make sure you know how you will get to the interview in advance. Whether you need to use public transport or are planning on driving to the interview, make sure you allow yourself enough time to arrive in plenty of time. Bear in mind the time of day you will be travelling and factor in rush-hour traffic if necessary. If your interview is online, make sure that you are set up in plenty of time in a quiet location, and have checked that your equipment – microphone and camera in particular – is all working correctly.

Linking up

If you are given your interviewer’s name before the interview, it is well worth looking them up on LinkedIn to see who you will be meeting. While they might not appreciate an invite request from a potential candidate, most people will appreciate knowing you have bothered to find out about them in advance.

Dressing up, dressing down

The issue of what to wear is a sticking point for many people. Dress code in the workplace is possibly harder now than it ever has been. Many companies these days go for a far more informal dress code than they have done in the past and employees are, if not encouraged to express themselves through their choice of clothes, certainly not penalised for doing so. However, at the interview stage, in most cases it is still advisable to dress smartly, even if the ‘uniform’ will ultimately be jeans and trainers.

Don’t freeze

It can happen to any of us at any time, your brain goes blank, and it can be a struggle to remember your name, let alone answer a question. If it happens during an interview, don’t panic. Take a breath and ask the interviewer to repeat the question. If you need a few moments of thinking time, that is OK too – unless of course the question is ‘what is your name?’!

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