Interviews - your big chance to sell yourself

So, your application form and CV did their job...and got you an interview. It's something most people find incredibly stressful, but there's plenty you can do to take the fear away - and impress the interviewer.

One thing to remember about the interview: you are there because you’ve already made the interviewer think that you can do the job.

In many ways, you’ve done the hard work by getting the interview – you have convinced the employer that you have the relevant skills and experience. The interview is your chance to confirm that opinion.

Before the interview

Dress for success

At the interview

Avoid unnecessary stress

Preparing for the interview can make all the difference. Before you get there:

• Re-read your application to remind yourself what you wrote (your interviewer may use what you wrote to decide what to ask you).

• Re-read the job description and/or person specification. These will help you focus on what the employer is looking for.

• Do some research about the company. Most interviews include a question about why you want to work for the company, so it’s worth knowing a bit about them! Company websites are a good place to begin your research.

• Think about how you will answer some of the most frequently asked interview questions – examples of these are in the related documents at the bottom of this page.

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• Interviewers know that virtually everyone is nervous at an interview, so will often ask you a question like ‘did you find us OK’, or ‘would you like a drink’. Don’t worry - these aren’t trick questions, they are just designed to help you relax!

• Try and use real examples in your answers – rather than simply saying you can do something, prove it by giving an example of when you did it.

• Don’t be negative about your previous employer, no matter how strongly you feel about them.

• At the end of an interview you will normally be asked if you have any questions. Try and ask at least two – even if this is just when they expect to make a decision about whether you have got the job. You could also ask about the opportunities for promotion or what kind of training opportunities there are.

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• Check your interview outfit a few days before the interview. That way you’ve got time to wash any unexpected marks, iron any unexplained creases, shine your shoes – or buy something new if you’ve lost a stone since you last wore the outfit! Try the whole outfit on, including tights/handbag, shoes, overcoat etc.

• Check the route to get to the interview a few days in advance. If you’re really worried, do a ‘dummy run’. It’s also worth double checking where the interview is – the place you will be working may not be the same place as where you sent the application form to.

• Leave plenty of time to get there. We’ve all been there – if you leave early, all the traffic lights will be green and you won’t miss a turning. If you leave late, then the bus will be late/there won’t be a parking space, and the water board will be digging up the main road!

• Take their contact details with you. Being late or getting lost are sometimes unavoidable, so make sure you take a phone number with you so you can let them know if you’re going to be late.

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