That all important interview prep
So you’ve nailed the application process and got the interview. That’s great!
Now there’s a little bit of preparation you can do to help you stand out.
In this article you'll find:
What will my interview be like?
Your interview will probably be something called competency based. That means the interviewer will ask you questions about your experience and skills.
Worried about answering those questions? That’s normal!
But knowing how you’re going to answer them will take that worry away. And the best way to do that is by using the simple STAR technique.
Top tips
Preparing for an interview can feel overwhelming. But the more prepared you are, the more confident and calm you’ll feel. Let’s get you at that point with our top tips.
Breathe...
First, relax!. Breathe in for three seconds and out for three. Repeat. Drink some water. When you’re relaxed, following the rest of our advice will become so much easier.
Do your research
When you show an employer that you know about their organisation, they’ll feel like you understand their business and care about the role. Check out our how to research an employer tutorial to find out what to look for.
Dress for the job
It’s important to feel comfortable and look smart. Our how to dress for an interview page can help you decide what to wear.
Don’t be late
The day before the interview, figure out how long it’ll take you to get there – or what tech you might need if it’s online or over the phone. Make sure you’re there (or ready) at least five minutes before it.
Listen and ask
Don’t feel like you need to be constantly talking. Listen to their questions, take a beat to prepare a response, then answer. It’s okay if you need to ask the interviewer to repeat a question. Remember to ask them questions too – you can even write some down before the interview to give you talking points.
Be specific
When you’re giving examples of tasks you’ve completed, go into detail. What did you do? What problems did you face? What did you achieve, and how?
Remember your strengths
You have so many skills and strengths – but it’s easy to go blank under pressure. Remind yourself of them before the interview, or start by defining them with our Strengths tool.
Look over your CV
Just like your strengths, it’s important to remind yourself of your experience and skills. Take a look over the CV you sent for this role before your interview, reminding yourself just how great you are and what you can talk about on the day.
Stay honest and positive
It’s too easy to get caught out on a lie in an interview. Stick to the truth, and stay positive. Be honest and let your enthusiasm shine – you don’t need to make stuff up to get the job.
Don’t overthink it
We so often find ourselves saying, ‘I wish I hadn’t said that!’ after an interview. Don’t sweat it! You’ve probably done better than you think. In fact, the interviewer might have been nervous too – they may not have even noticed.
What if I don’t get the job?
Not getting the job doesn’t mean you’re not good enough – it just means someone else was more suited to the role. And, when you think about how many people could've applied, the fact that you got an interview is something to be proud of alone.
Remember, you won’t get every job you apply for. And something better will be right around the corner. But, to prepare for that next interview, ask for feedback from the last one.
Ask things like, 'how could I have improved my interview?' – and take notes. Read them over later to decide what you want to take on board for the next one.
What next?
You’ve done your research, you’ve read through our top tips and you hopefully feel more prepared. To make sure you’re 100% ready for the big day, try our virtual interview tool. And good luck!