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Interview Tips

Tips for interview success

Interviews can be nerve-wracking, no matter how many you’ve been to- or what side of the table you’re sitting on. Here are our top tips for interview success.

Do your research

Knowledge is power, so doing your research is key. Divide this research into three main parts for success:

How much do you know about the company you’re interviewing for? What does their website tell you about them, their policies and their business? Do you know anyone who has worked for them, or can give you some further insight that could be useful?

The more you know about the company who will be interviewing you, the better. Spending time researching as much as you can will not only help you gain an understanding of what it could be like to work for them, but you’ll pick up knowledge on the sector in general too. All of this will put you in a much better position overall.

What format will the interview take? Make sure you read all instructions carefully to avoid any nasty surprises on the day. There’s nothing worse than finding out you need to give a presentation five minutes before you’re due to do it.

How long has it been since you wrote your CV? How many of the skills listed on there can play an important role in your interview? Go back to your CV as part of your research and view it alongside the job description so you can highlight the experiences, skills and qualifications that make you the ideal person for the job.

Prepare

Preparation is key, so give yourself the best chance possible, by being ready for anything.
How will you get to the interview? Will you be taking a new route, or one that you know could land you in heavy traffic? Do a dry run if you need to, and make sure your mode of transport is reliable too.
Interviews often follow a certain format, and there are common questions that you’ll likely be asked- so prepare for them ahead of time. Write down your answers and practise reading them so that you know what you’ll say when you’re asked.
Depending on the job you’re going for, there might be some more challenging questions thrown at you. Being prepared for this is a must. Write down all possible questions that could be asked and again practise your answers before the big day.
Most interviewers will ask you if you have any questions, and its always a good idea to have one or two ready. Use the research you’ve already done to demonstrate that you understand the company, are interested in them and confident that you can become a valuable asset to them.

Show confidence

Most interviewers will expect some degree of nerves, but there are certain things you can do to help yourself appear more confident on the day.
Always dress smartly, but make sure that you’re comfortable with what you’re wearing. Plan your outfit and practise wearing it for an hour or two before the interview. First impressions count here, so making sure you look the part will be really important.
Maintaining eye contact during an interview is important as it helps to show that you’re interested, and can hide the fact that you’re nervous too. It’s polite, professional and will help you to appear confident when you speak. Keep your voice even and try not to talk too fast either.
It might feel like the last thing you feel like doing, but smiling will help you to relax, and is another way that you can instantly come across as more confident too. Plus, not only does it give a good impression to your interviewer, but it might actually help you to enjoy the experience too.

Let us help you smash your next interview

Here at Oikos, we’re dedicated to helping our candidates succeed. We can work with you on the skills you need to make the recruitment process a breeze. Get in touch today to find out more about the support we can offer.