Top ten tips to nailing a job interview

Being fully prepared for a job interview is essential if you want to have an impact on your prospective employers. Here are our top ten tips to making a great impression at any job interview.

1. Do your research
Before your job interview, make sure you’ve researched every detail of the company. Find out more about their culture, their key accounts, campaigns they may have run or recent successes they may have experienced.  Find out about their values, their gains and losses, and who their competitors are. Sign up to their newsletters and follow them on Twitter.

It’s also important to keep up to date with industry news, both locally and globally. Social media provides a great tool for this: get involved in debates on Twitter and follow the Influencers on LinkedIn. The more knowledgeable you are, the more enthusiastic and engaged you will be in your interview.

Lastly, research the details of your prospective role. What are your responsibilities, and how can your previous experience contribute to the job requirements? Who is your manager? How big is your team? What is the industry-standard salary for this job?

Being well prepared is essential if you want to make a lasting impression.

2. Find out who is interviewing you
Depending on the job, you could be interviewed by any number of people. Perhaps it will be your direct manager, the HR representative, or even a group of people picked from a particular department. Know who you will be facing in the job interview and prepare accordingly.

3. Know your strengths
Think of yourself as a brand. Why would people buy into you? What are your strengths? What are your outstanding qualities? What differentiates you from the rest?

Write down your achievements, your successes, your skills, and the unique qualities that make you stand out. Think carefully about how these strengths can contribute to the company and the role. Ask yourself: why should they hire me? It is vital that you are confident in your abilities. If you believe you are the right fit for the role, and have the evidence to support it, then selling yourself in the interview will be an easy task.

4. Arrive prepared
Job interviews often follow a similar pattern. Think about what questions they will ask you, and prepare your answers accordingly.

Arrive with a hard copy of your CV, but make sure you know that document like the back of your hand.

5. Dress for success
Dress appropriately for the role. You want to look and feel confident and professional, whilst still being true to your own style and personality.

Remember to smile, look your interviewer in the eye, and be warm and friendly without being overly familiar. If your interviewer likes you as a person, you’re more likely to stand out.

6. Stay calm
Speaking from a place of calm and composure is sure to impress your interviewer. You want to avoid nervous blunders, a sweaty-palmed handshake and adrenaline-fuelled fidgeting. Don’t drink too much coffee before going in – this will simply add to the anxiety. Stand up tall and breathe deeply. Remember that you are confident, capable and fully prepared.

7. Think before you speak
Remember that you don’t need to answer each question immediately. Take a moment to think carefully about your answer before blurting out the first thing that comes to mind. Take a deep breath before speaking, and make sure you look your interviewer in the eye.

8. Don’t be afraid to sell yourself
Modesty doesn’t count in an interview. Don’t sell yourself short in order to appear humble. Speak openly about your achievements and strengths.

9. Don’t be afraid to ask questions
Remember that you have the right to ask questions, too. Not only will this show an interest in the company and your prospective role, but it will help to alleviate your own nerves.

10. Keep in touch with your agency
After your job interview, it is important to keep in contact with your agency. Let them know how the interview went, and they’ll be able to advise on your next steps.

Good luck!

8 July 2013

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