Preparation

• Know your CV - you will be asked questions on its content.
• Research the company - check available literature, website and web based information.
• List your skills and abilities, qualifications and achievements that are particularly relevant to the position being interviewed.
• Ensure you have a full job description and person specification for the available position.
• If possible prepare questions you expect to be asked at interview - consider what answers you would give to the questions if posed.
• Prepare some of your own questions to be asked at interview. You should restrict these questions about the role and position rather than salary and holiday!
• Know what you are going to wear. Make sure it is clean, well presented and that all buttons/zips and fasteners fasten. Any problems before the interview will affect your performance.
• If the interview has been arranged by an agency then ask them for all additional information they have on the company.
• Do not wear too much aftershave, perfume, make up or jewellery.
• Know your journey time to the interview. Have a trial run, allow for accidents and diversions. Ensure you arrive a few minutes early for the interview. It is your time to calm your nerves and have those last few moments for final preparation.
• Do not have an alcoholic drink to calm yourself. It may sound ridiculous but people have done it.

The Interview

There are various forms an interview can take.

• A face to face interview - just you and a lone interviewer
• A panel of interviewers - several influential people who take turns in asking you questions or have a role assessing particular aspects of the interview
• Group interview - all candidates together for group discussion controlled by an interviewer who assesses all candidates
• A staged interview - possibility of tests / environment suitability / discussions before progressing to final interview stage

Be prepared for all types. If your interview has been arranged by an agency ask what type of interview you are going to. If they don't know they will endeavour to find out.

Every interview is a two-way exchange of information and opinions. At the heart of every interview is communication.

There are many interview styles, every interviewer has their own personal style. The interviewer may be as nervous as you. Some styles involve 'firing' questions in no apparent order and with no obvious link or reason.

Others are more relaxed and leave it to you to do most of the talking.

Either way ensure that you:

• Enlighten the employer as to why you above everyone else is most suited to the position
• Do not monopolise the conversation or appear too familiar
• Demonstrate that you have prepared well and understand the specification of the position available
• Do not provide the interviewer with negative information or reasons to doubt you. Do not criticise previous employees or senior managers
• Show a definite interest in the position available and how it assists the company in achieving its objectives.

Top Tips and Must Do's

• Meet the interviewer with a good firm handshake and a well planned spoken greeting.
• Smile, be polite to all the staff you meet, you never know who influences decisions within companies. Management do not always wear suits and sit behind desks.
• If you are carrying presentation equipment or evidence of previous work, ensure it is in a suitable case or folder.
• Thank the interviewer for his/her time and the opportunity to present yourself.

Planning and Presentation Prevents Poor Performance!