Preparing for a job interview can be a daunting task, but with the right mindset, a little bit of research, and some practice, you can smash any interview and land your dream job. The key to success is to start early and take the time to research the company, the job, and the interviewer.

An important step in interview preparation is researching the company you hope to work for to gain an understanding of its mission, values, and culture, and the products or services they offer. Doing this shows you are genuinely interested in the company. Additionally, researching the interviewer can help you feel more comfortable and confident during the interview by knowing a little bit about who they are and their background.

Understand the Opportunity

When preparing, you need to have a thorough understanding of what the role is and what the requirements are.

• Job Description - analyse the job description carefully to identify the key responsibilities, skills, and qualifications required to help prepare tailored answers for the interview.

  Look for specific keywords in the job description to identify the essential skills and qualifications required for the job and align these with your skills and experience, remembering to provide examples.

• Company Research - research the company to learn its history and culture and what it offers so you can gain an insight into the company's values and identify ways to tailor your responses to match.

  Company websites, social media profiles, and online articles are rich sources of information. Also try to find out more about the market, competitors and relevant industry trends to demonstrate your knowledge and research skills during the interview.

Self-Assessment

Understanding your strengths, weaknesses, skills, and experiences comes in handy in several situations but knowing them before an interview will allow you to evaluate how suitable you are for a role and help your preparations.

• Skills Evaluation - The first step is to evaluate your technical and soft skills; technical skills are job-specific and might include programming languages, software proficiency, or accounting skills, whereas soft skills are transferable and essential for any job, such as communication, teamwork, problem-solving, and leadership.

  Identify skills that match the job requirements and highlight them in your CV and cover letter. If you identify some gaps, consider independent learning to improve your skills in certain areas.

• Experience Review - List all your previous roles, including early career roles, internships, and volunteer work, to assess whether your experience is a good match with the job description and the company's requirements.

  Highlight the relevant experiences that match the job specification and demonstrate your skills and achievements. Define the main responsibilities, accomplishments, and contributions from your previous roles, remembering to use data wherever possible to quantify your achievements.

Practical Preparation

Effective preparation is crucial to improve your chances of success during an interview. It not only helps to alleviate any anxiety leading up to the big day but also boosts your confidence during the interview itself.

• Common Questions

  One of the most important elements of practical preparation is practicing your responses to the common interview questions that are bound to be asked. This is where your company research comes in handy, as it gives you an idea of what questions you can perhaps expect and how you will respond. Common interview questions typically include:

  • What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  • Why do you want to work for this company?
  • What relevant experience do you have?
  • What are your career goals?

  Knowing what you will say when asked these questions will give you confidence before and during the interview and this will come across in your body language and how you speak. Of course, it’s important to listen carefully to questions and answer them honestly and concisely.

• Mock Interviews

  Mock interviews can help with practicing how you answer interview questions and allows you to receive feedback on your responses from family and friends. Alternatively, you can record yourself answering interview questions and review your performance.

  Mock interviews can help you pinpoint areas where you need to improve, such as depth of response or tone of voice. You can also use these as an opportunity to practice responses to particularly challenging questions, such as any gaps in your employment history.

Appearance and Body Language

First impressions are made instantly and last forever, so the one you make must be a positive one. Your appearance and body language are key factors that can help.

• Appearance – Make sure you have clean hair, nails, and teeth and avoid wearing strong perfumes or aftershave. Clothing should be, clean, fit well and convey an appropriate level of professionalism for the job you are applying for and jewellery kept simple and to a minimum. This all shows that you take the interview seriously and respect the process and the interviewer's time.
• Body Language - Body language can convey a lot about a person's confidence, interest, and engagement. Some tips on how to use body language effectively during an interview include:
  • Maintain eye contact: maintain eye contact with the interviewer throughout your interview to show you are engaged and interested in the conversation.
  • Sit up straight: keep a straight back with your shoulders back to convey confidence and professionalism.
  • Smile: a genuine smile can go a long way in creating a positive impression and breaking any tension, so smile when appropriate, such as when arriving at the interview or expressing enthusiasm for the job.
  • Avoid fidgeting: this can be distracting and convey nervousness, so try to keep your hands still and avoid tapping your feet or playing with your hair.

On the Day

Aim to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early to allow for any unforeseen circumstances and ensure you are ready at the agreed interview time. It is always better to arrive early and wait than to arrive late and risk causing a negative first impression. Plan your journey, considering any potential traffic hotspots or public transport delays. Advanced research of the location where the interview is being held and plan a suitable route.

Interview etiquette is important and dictates you should present yourself professionally and respectfully before, during, and after the interview. Be sure to thank the interviewer for their time at the end of the interview and reaffirm your interest in the role.

Thorough preparation will give you every chance of being successful in your interview. Following the simple tips highlighted above will hopefully ensure you make a positive first impression and present yourself in the best possible light during the interview.

Apache Associates are specialists in IT and Sales recruitment, and we pride ourselves in treating every candidate as a unique individual and go above and beyond to match the right people with the right role. We have a clear approach to recruitment that places an emphasis on people, not on numbers.