Interviewing Tips

Before the interview

  • read the job description and requirements in depth and be clear on the skills and qualities the employer is looking for. RECRUITERS HERE’S OUR CUE! We’ll answer any questions you have to ensure the perfect fit and nothing left to question.

  • check the company website and familiarise yourself in depth with where/ how they started, their core values and direction as a company. You can learn allot from their website so go down the rabbit hole and know them intimately, it will pay dividends in your interview! RECRUITERS HERE’S OUR CUE!, you should know your client and their business intimately already and be able to offer massive insights not available on the website.

  • go over your CV or application form and think about things the employer may ask you about. RECRUITERS HERE’S OUR CUE! We should have a good idea of any curly questions and have our candidates well poised to respond honestly and confidently.

  • ask someone you trust to practise answering questions, RECRUITERS HERE’S OUR CUE! We have/ will make time to help with this, don’t let a recruiter tell you different!

  • write down 2 or 3 questions you can ask at the end of your interview, that show you’re enthusiastic about the job. RECRUITERS HERE’S OUR CUE, let’s admit it we don’t always have ALL the answers so let’s make sure nothing is missed if we can’t ask on behalf prior to the interview!

  • prepare something suitable and comfortable to wear.

  • check what time you need to arrive and the name of the person you need to see.

  • make sure that you know how to get to where the interview is being held.

At the interview

Before you go in:

  • make sure your phone's turned off

  • Keep your cool. Everyone is here for the right reasons. They’ll love you. Just be YOU!

  • smile and greet your interviewer confidently

  • ask for some water if you need it

During the interview

  • be polite and be conscious of your tone and body language. Be enthusiastic, but not bouncing off the walls!

  • listen carefully to questions and think before you answer, a gap between question and answer is a good thing, don’t rush.

  • if you do not understand a question, ask the interviewer to repeat it or explain further.

  • be positive about your experiences - if you’ve faced difficult situations, show what you learned from them.

  • Be honest - do not exaggerate or come across as over-confident.

  • ask a couple of questions when you’re invited to do so - choose questions that make you sound keen, like ‘What opportunities are there for training with your company?’, rather than ones about pay or holidays at this stage.

  • At the end, thank the employer for their time and tell them that you are looking forward to hearing from them.

After the interview

If you’re offered the job, let the company know in good time whether you want to accept the offer. You can also agree the start date and first day procedure.

If you decide not to accept the job for what ever reason, decline it politely, as you may want to work for them in the future.

If you do not get offered the job:

  • be positive - this is a chance to learn from your experience. It’s likely you were an excellent fit but they had someone else with a small advantage extra. You may get a tap on the shoulder later. Don’t hold a grudge!

  • ask for feedback on your interview.

  • think about the things that did not go so well and what you could do to improve next time.

  • get some interview practice - you could ask friends, family, colleagues or a careers adviser to help. RECRUITERS HERE’S OUR CUE! Unless they’ve given you a really good reason to (and if so, you still owe it to your candidate to explain), don’t walk out on your candidate because they didn’t get the job. Speak with them, make a plan for the next opportunity even if it’s not on your “live roles”. The candidates worked with and trusted you. Don’t leave them out in the cold now!