5 Ways to Prepare for an Interview

Whether you’ve only ever had one interview in your entire career, or you feel like a seasoned pro, we can all still benefit from a reminder of the key things we should be covering off during our interview prep.

Even if you feel as though “Interviewee” should appear as a job in its’ own right on your CV, take the time to remind yourself of the five top things we recommend doing to ensure you set yourself up for a successful interview.

Do Your Research 

Hiring Managers are often more impressed by what you ask them, than what you can tell them. They look for candidates who show a genuine interest in working for their company, not those who are merely interested in what the company can offer them. Make sure you understand their business, position in the industry, who they view as competitors and know their direction for the future. Check out their website, social media channels and read any recent, relevant news stories. Find out about the company culture and values - one of the biggest decisions for a Hiring Manager is whether the candidate will be a good fit and asset to their team. Doing your research shows that you are well prepared and interested in the bigger picture, not just your salary or desk location.

 Understand the Role

Ensure you have read the full job description and look beyond the job title and main responsibilities. An Account Manager in one organisation can be very different to an Account Manager in another. What are the key skills and experience required? And how does that translate into what the business will require of you? Look for people online who have fulfilled the same role to the one that you’re interviewing for. How do they describe their experience in that role? Look online for other employees of the company to get an understanding of the team dynamic. Understanding the position thoroughly will help you to relate any relevant experience you have gained, to the job spec. It will also mean less nasty surprises to throw you off guard during the interview!

 Plan the Logistics

Set your alarm. Check the train times. Book your taxi. Pack your umbrella! We’ve all been late to drinks with a friend, or dinner with family. We had to take the long Tube route because part of the Central Line was closed. Then the restaurant was at the back of the courtyard, in the corner, behind the post box, not on the street where Google Maps said it was. You arrive flustered and apologetic, and that’s to dinner with your oldest friends. Know where you’re going, how you’re getting there and, be on time. If despite every preparation, you are delayed and it’s beyond your control, make sure you have a phone number for the person who is interviewing you, call to explain and apologise profusely. Remember you never get a second chance to make a first impression!

 Know Yourself

We spend enough time in our own company, so we know ourselves inside out, right? When it comes to articulating who we are, what we do well, how we do it and why, many of us actually fall flat. There’s a fine line between selling yourself and appearing arrogant and many people feel uncomfortable. However an interview is not the time to be bashful. Be sure that you know what you can bring to the table, and also be prepared to answer competency based questions. Be confident describing your experience, explaining why you made certain decisions, how these were implemented and why certain outcomes took place. Provide examples that back up your skills. Think about what drives you and what you’re looking for. Be confident in your convictions and be true to yourself. 

 Relax

If this means spending the morning in a bubble bath, go soak! If you need to go for a 5 mile run to clear your head, do it! It may just mean going about your daily routine as usual. Do whatever makes you feel comfortable and at ease. Feeling calm and collected will put you in the right mind-set for your interview, and put your interviewer at ease too – interviewing can be just as demanding for them as it is for you! No-one enjoys interviewing someone who is uptight, on edge or nervous. Interviewers have a variety of styles - some relaxed, others more challenging. It’s important to be calm, engaging and positive so you make the best impression possible.

What gets you in the interview zone? How do you prepare? Let us know in the comments!