Interview tips

You have got to interview stage. This is where potential employers get to find out more about you and where you will have the opportunity to find out as much about the role and company as you can. You should be interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you. Make sure that you have the best possible opportunity to sell yourself and prepare for the big day by answering key questions that are likely to be asked at interview:

Before the interview
Preparation is crucial. Make sure you have a good understanding of the organisation and what they do. Think about the market they operate in and who their competitors are. One of the key questions often asked at interview is "what do you know about us?" If you can't answer this question adequately you can be sure you won't get the job. Consider the following:

• Why do you want the job?
  
• What qualifies you to do this role?
  You should be able to answer this question having completed the required application process. However always have in mind what they are looking for.
  
• Find out as much as you can about the interview.
  Who you will be meeting, the format the interview will take, whether there will be a second interview stage, whether you need to prepare anything specific and if possible, try and find out how many other candidates they are interviewing.
  
• Think about the questions they may ask you.
  For example, your strengths and weaknesses, your experience of working in a team, how well you work under pressure?
  
• Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer.
  These should not be related to the salary and benefits but about the role, its career development and the organisation.
  

On the day

• Arrive early - there is no excuse for lateness.
  
• Think of your personal presentation - wear a suit, polish your shoes.
  
• Try to relax.
  
• Make sure you answer the question they have asked rather than the question you wanted them to ask.
  
• If you don't understand the question ask the interviewer to repeat it. Do not attempt to answer a question you don't know the answer to, the employer will see straight through your answer if you don't know what you are talking about.
  
• Be enthusiastic and genuinely interested, even if you are unsure about the role.
  
• Always thank the interviewer for their time.
  
• If they don't say, ask when you are likely to hear whether you have been successful.
  

After the interview
Make sure you get proper feedback, either from the recruitment consultant or the interviewer. This is the only way that you will learn and improve your interview technique.

If unsuccessful, be philosophical about it and try to stay positive, this is a hard sector to break into. Learn what you can for the next opportunity. This one wasn't for you but only because there is something far more suitable just around the corner.

It is often a numbers game too and in an increasingly competitive market competition is likely to be tough. Finding a new role can take up to 6 months or more depending on the level at which you are going in on. Practice is key and every interview will take you one step closer to a job.