How to Ace an Interview

Interviews can be daunting, but the more you practise, the more at ease you will feel. At the interview stage, interviewers are looking to get to know you, not just what they have read on your CV. Interviews are also an excellent opportunity for you to get to know your potential employers better. So, treat the interview as an equal conversation, not just a question and answer session.

Top tips for interviews

Check your schedule and travel plans
Make sure you know where your interview is being held and when. Turning up early with plenty of time before the interview begins will give a good impression and show you are an organised person. If you need any help finding the interview location, make sure you ask for clarity.
TOP TIP: Plan out your journey the day before the interview, ensuring you build in extra time for any unexpected delays.

Dress to impress
Employers will expect you to dress professionally. Keep your outfit simple and conservative. When it comes to bags, shoes, ties, scarves and tights, it’s best to play it safe. Keep these things muted and make sure they coordinate with your outfit.
TOP TIP: Whatever the industry, always check with the employer if you’re unsure. It’s far better to ask and be prepared than to feel totally uncomfortable and out of place. This will put you off your game and make you stand out for all the wrong reasons.

Do your research
Make sure you research the company you are interviewing for, as well as the job role. Showcasing a thorough knowledge of the company's values and how they operate shows your are genuinely interested in them, helping you stand out from the crowd. Interviewers love speaking to candidates who have gone the extra mile to demonstrate awareness of company culture and values.
TOP TIP: Make use of all resources available for your research - company websites, employees' LinkedIn profiles and news stories.

Prepare your answers It is impossible to predict every question that you will be asked in an interview. However, you can and should prepare for commonly asked questions, like ‘tell me about yourself’, or ‘why have you applied for this role?’ TOP TIP: Think about 5-6 key examples or achievements that you could use to answer different questions. For example if you are part of a sports team, this could be used to answer questions about team work, resilience, leadership or even influencing others, just by changing the focus of your answer. The more unique the examples, the better.

Prepare some questions
Think of some interesting questions you would like the ask the interviewer. It's best to ask questions that you couldn't find the answer to yourself by researching the company. Asking questions about things you have a genuine interest in further affirms your enthusiasm for the role and the company. View more tips about asking questions in an interview HERE.
TOP TIP: Listen to the response to your question carefully. There might be opportunities to engage further with a follow up question or comment.

Use your time wisely
Using your time wisely is all about balance - make sure you address the question thoroughly but avoid rambling.
TOP TIP: Use the STARR (Situation, Task, Action, Result and Reflections) technique to structure your answers so you make the best use of the time available. Practise the STARR technique using our worksheet.

Hopefully our interview top tips will ensure you can ace an interview and have settled any nerves you may be feeling.