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Tips To Ace That Interview

Tips To Ace That Interview

A job interview is an exciting but nerve-wracking experience that can leave even the most confident of candidates with an uneasy feeling. When you’re meeting with a potential new employer, it’s absolutely normal to feel nervous; after all, you want to sell yourself and your skills appropriately and be in with the best chance of securing your next role. The key to nailing it? Be prepared! Here are some tips to keep in mind when you secure that all important interview:

Research the company thoroughly

We’re not just talking about a quick scan of the website and the ‘about us’ section. To make a great impression in your interview and to stand out from other interviewees, you should conduct some in-depth research into what the company does, find out about their culture and their goals. Social media is everywhere these days and following a business’ social media accounts on the likes of Twitter and LinkedIn is a good place to start. It can also be a good idea to google a prospective company and look at any ‘news’ related to them. All of this will give you further insight into a company and give you information that you can use in your interview. If you have received a job spec, familiarise yourself with it also as

Practice your interview answers

Know your cv and your previous roles inside out and make sure you can vocalise your experience. If it’s been a while since your last interview, search online for some commonly asked interview questions to get you thinking about your answers. If your potential new employer has a Glassdoor profile, search for any interview experiences and reviews that have been left by previous candidates; this should give you an idea of the potential questions you might be asked. Friends or family are generally happy to step in and act out the interviewer role to help you practice and become confident in your answers. Interviews can take many forms but the competency interview is ever more common now. Check out our blog on Competency Based Interviews

Prepare questions to ask the interviewer

The moment when your interviewer says, “Do you have any questions?” can leave your mind completely blank if you haven’t prepared. It’s vital to ask a couple of questions – it shows that you’re interested in the company and the role. Try to prepare 2-3 questions – questions such as asking about the company’s future growth plans, What types of training opportunities do you offer, Is there scope for promotion in the future, or questions about the culture and other aspects of the business that are often skipped over in an interview situation can be useful. If there are any parts of the interview that you felt were particularly interesting and wanted to hear more about, this could be your opportunity also to show you were listening and found a point that the interviewer made, interesting.

Plan your route in advance

There’s nothing worse than getting lost on your way to your interview; make sure you leave plenty of time for you to get there, allowing for any traffic or unforeseen events along the way. Plan your route in advance and make sure that you know exactly where you’re going and who to ask for when you arrive at the business. If you’re not familiar with the area where your interview is taking place, it’s a good idea to conduct a trial journey, if you have the time. Arrive at the interview approximately 10/15 minutes before it is due to start and positively always greet front office staff or anyone you meet in the building as first impressions count!

Dress appropriately

It’s important to dress smartly and appropriately for your interview. Even if the company has a laid-back dress code, it is best to go smart casual. Ask your Total Care Recruitment consultant for tips on this is you are unsure as they will have great knowledge of the client and can advise accordingly. Make sure your clothes are clean, ironed and stain free; check your planned outfit the night before to avoid any last-minute panics. Not only will a smart appearance make a good impression on your potential new employer but it will also ensure that you feel confident and ready to nail your interview.

Have confidence

You’ve done everything you can – make sure you walk into the building with a smile on your face and confidence in your own abilities. And don’t forget the all-important handshake! Good luck!

If you would like to speak to us on securing your next interview and next role, please contact us on careers@totalcarerecruitment.com or (028) 90730191