CHAPTER 1 | careers toolkit
Interview tips
1
Do your homework
be judged purely on our ability and experience,
Companies are going to be impressed by
but the truth is, appearances matter. Instant
candidates who can display a keen interest in –
impressions count, and you want yours to be
and knowledge of – their business. So swot up
good, or you’ll be running to catch up for the
on the company’s latest facts, figures, reports,
rest of the interview.
products and plans. You should also research recent trends in the industry as a whole – the more information you have at your disposal, the more confidently you’ll perform.
2
Do relax Easier said than done, of course. But the simple fact is, the more relaxed you are, the better you’ll perform. So don’t give yourself
Do some practice
any unnecessary worries – prepare properly,
Interviewing is a skill and, as with any skill,
plan your route in advance and arrive early.
you’ll get better with practice. If your university
Smile, speak clearly and make your answers
careers service offers interview training, set up a
concise and to the point – don’t be tempted
session. You can also get friends to act as mock
to waffle.
interviewers to help you get used to talking about yourself in a clear, coherent way. Prepare answers to some of the most commonly asked questions, but also be ready to improvise based on your research.
3
4
5
Do ask questions The company has shown an interest in you by inviting you to an interview, so return the favour. When researching the company, prepare some questions – around half a dozen – about the company and aspects of the job, although
Err on the side of caution – too smart is always
be sure not to ask about anything that’s already
better than too casual. In an ideal world, we’d all
been covered in the interview.
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Do dress smartly