So you have an interview - now what?

Congrats! You have made it to the interview stage - nice one. Now it's time to sell your skills and personality at the interview. Our job interview tips and list of common questions will help you prepare and feel your most confident self on the day!

Could you research the company and the person you're meeting?

Read through the employer's website. What type of business are they? How many employees do they have? Where are they located??

It's also a good idea to research the person you're meeting, your recruiter (us) will likely provide their LinkedIn profile for you. What's their background? How do they fit into the organisation? What do you have in common??

Having a better understanding of the company and your interviewer can give you an advantage; it shows you're serious about the role and have done your homework, and the interviewer will be impressed!

Know your resume!

In our industry, you will likely be asked what projects you have worked on and what was your role. Go through your resume and projects and dot point, your position, how you contributed, whether there were any learnings, and what the challenges were.

It is also worth noting who you worked with on the project - the architect, builder, engineers etc. Once you have done this, practice saying it aloud ( I know it feels super dorky) on this project. It helps with the retention of information, allowing you to sound more confident with clarity in the interview, and communication is key!

Be early, Be calm and Remember your preparation.

We'll let you know the name and title of anyone you're meeting with, but if you need to remember, please ask us before the interview. Be sure you know the time and place of your meeting, but don't leave the journey to chance – check public transport schedules in advance so you allow enough time. Aim to be no more than 10mins early - there is such a thing as too early!

Arriving 5 to 10 minutes early is an excellent way to make a positive first impression; any earlier, and the interviewer will likely not be ready for you. Be friendly and courteous to everyone you meet on the way into the office and on the way to the meeting room – you never know who is reporting on their encounter with you.

What to wear to a job interview

Take extra care to make a good impression on interview day, and look the part. Decide on your outfit the night before, and ensure it's clean and pressed. How formally you dress should reflect the role's seniority, company and industry. We recommend erring on the side of caution – it's better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. If you are coming from site, just let us know - our clients understand this, but we always like to let them know ahead of the meeting.

Showcase what you can add to the role.

An employer may see several candidates in a day, and typically they remember the standouts! So have something interesting to say and can back it up with evidence of what they've done in the past.

When practising for the interview, as above, write down your skills, strengths, achievements, and tricky situations you've excelled in managing. Be sure you can justify your skills with real-life examples - use the star method here as well. Remember to consider where there's room for improvement in your professional life, and show what steps you take to develop those skills ie, through personal development courses, formal training, books, and online workshops.

Common interview questions

Below are some typical questions you might encounter in a job interview. Questions like "How do you work under pressure?" seemingly require a concise answer and are an excellent opportunity to use the STAR method to sell yourself.

• Tell me about yourself.
• Where do you see yourself in the short/long term?
• What are your most significant accomplishments?
• How do you work under pressure?
• Why should I hire you?
• What's your most challenging situation, and how did you handle it?
• Do you prefer working alone or as part of a team?

Interview questions to ask the employer

An interview isn't just about an employer understanding you; it is your opportunity to discover whether they're a good fit for your career. Don't be afraid to ask questions to dig in and get a better sense of the role, the team and the culture. Skip questions about leave, benefits and salary at this stage – your recruiter can take the lead on this for you. Try asking some of the questions below:

• What do the first two months look like?
• What type of projects will I be working on?
• Can you tell me about the environment and team?
• What are the opportunities for career progression?

Follow up after your interview.

Regardless if you feel you have nailed it or completely bombed, sending a thank you email is always good manners. This shows your appreciation for your interviewer's time, and if you missed anything, this provides an opportunity to reiterate this and your interest in the position. Even if you don't secure this role, it's a great way to show you are courteous and thoughtful.

Have you anything that you can add? drop them below...