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7 top interview tips

You've got an interview. That's great! Now it's time to prepare. Interviews can be stressful, especially when you need help figuring out where to start.  

 

To help you smash that interview, Elizabeth, a career adviser based in Scotland tells us her top tips. Follow these tips to show any potential employers the best version of yourself.

1. Do your research

It's a good idea to research an employer. It shows the interviewer that you know what they do and that you care about getting the job you have applied for. It helps you prepare for your interview and feel more confident answering questions. To help get you started, we've created a handy tutorial on researching an employer. 

2. Dress for the job

You might feel nervous deciding what to wear but if you stick to our advice, you’ll get it right. Most importantly, choose something you feel comfortable and confident wearing. Get more advice from our tutorial on dressing for an interview. ​​​​​​​

3. Timekeeping

Be on time. Make sure you're there (or ready) at least 5 minutes before your interview time. If it is an in-person interview, work out your route and how to get there. If it’s online or over the phone, check that you have the right tech and it's working. We have a useful tutorial on preparing for video and phone interviews. 

 

4. Listen, ask and respond

Take your time to listen to your interviewer's question. You can take a moment to prepare a response, then answer. It's okay if you ask the interviewer to repeat a question. They don't expect you to talk all the time. You'll get the opportunity to ask them questions. You can prepare those before the interview, using some of your research about the company. 

5. Your skills, strengths and experience

The day before the interview go over your application and CV. Compare your skills, strengths and experience with the job role description. It's OK to have some short notes to refer to in the interview. It's good to remind yourself of just how well you have done to get this far. They have helped you to get this interview. You should feel confident talking about them. 

6. Stay honest and don't overthink it

It's too easy to get caught if you lie in an interview. Stick to the truth and stay positive. After your interview, you might often say, 'I wish I hadn't said that'. Don't worry; you've probably done better than you think. 

7. If you don't get the job

Remember, you will not get every job you apply for. All interview experience, good or bad, is never wasted. You can learn a lot by asking for feedback. You can ask things such as "how could I have improved my answers?" and take notes. Read them over later to decide what you want to remember or what is useful for next time me.   

Employer advice for interviews

Make the most of your interview with advice from Marie Brennan, an early careers adviser from BAE Systems Naval Ships.

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10 interview mistakes

Explore 10 biggest mistakes that could hurt your chances during an interview and how you can avoid them. 

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