4 things you should do before every interview
Nailing the interview starts long before you get into the meeting room. Thorough preparation beforehand will be the key to your success. Below we outline the four things you should do before every interview you attend, to help you land the job.
1. Spend a few days preparing
This sounds obvious, but you’d be surprised how much preparation can go in to just one interview. From choosing the perfect outfit, to visiting the location the day before, there are so many small steps you can take to ensure the interview goes well.
It’s a good idea to look up some of the most common interview questions for the role or industry you’re interviewing for, then practise your responses. This doesn’t mean you have to learn them off by heart, but it ensures you have some good examples at the forefront of your mind on the day of the interview. Taking some time upfront is an effective use of your time, and will go a long way to helping you to secure the role.
2. Research the company and know the role
Another part of your preparation should be researching the company and getting a better understanding of the role. There are a number of ways you can do this. Check out the company’s career page or social media profiles, this will help to give you an idea of what their like as an employer. You could also look for any news stories relating to the business or check out employee review sites such as Glassdoor, to see what other professionals have said about working there.
3. Make sure you bring your own questions
Remember, an interview isn’t just an opportunity for the recruiter to decide if you’re right for the role, it’s also your chance to decide if you’d like to work for their company. As such, you need to go armed with questions. Before the interview, think about any gaps in the job description or your own research, and make a list of potential questions to take with you. This way, you can ensure the company and the role are right for you.
4. Find out if you’re expected to bring anything else
If you haven’t already been told, it’s a good idea to get in touch with the recruiter to see if you’ll be expected to take part in any interview tasks. This might be creating a presentation, taking your portfolio or sitting a pre-interview test set by the employer. Do this at least a week before you’re due to meet with them. This will give you plenty of time to prepare.
