Job Interview Do’s & Don’ts

Two Days Before

Research the company

When preparing for an interview, always take time to research the company you are applying for.

Find out about: the company’s history, culture, main goals, and values.

Read the company’s About page online and check out their website.

You need to understand how the company works and what its priorities are.

Only then can you convince them that you are a good fit!

Be prepared; Think about the most common interview questions and how you could answer them.

Practice answering the questions – Think of the specific examples you could use to highlight your skills. Read this blog post for helpful hints for the most tricky of interview questions…

How will you get there? Do you need to think about a lift / parking/ public transport timetables? Find out all the details and get organised so that you can arrive in good time.

What will you wear? Get everything sorted out. Does your favourite suit need to be dry cleaned? Do your shoes need polishing?

Ensure you get some copies of your resume. Don’t assume they will have one to hand. There may be more than one interviewer, imagine how impressed they will be if you present them with a resume if required.

On the Day

The Interview

Arrive 5 minutes early to the location.

DON’T EVER be late and if you are more than 5 minutes early, then go for a walk around the area.

Act confident, polite and formal.

Keep eye contact and believe in yourself. Be ready to talk about your best qualities and how you could contribute to the company. Don’t be shy to talk about what you have accomplished in your career. Also, don’t be afraid to mention a few weaknesses.

Show that you are motivated.

Make sure you know why you are applying for that specific company. No company wants an employee who can work anywhere.

Don’t Talk About Money too Soon.

There is no point starting a negotiation, until the interviewer has decided they want to give you the job! In addition, if you bring up the subject of money, they may thing that is the the only thing that you are interested in…. which of course you are not!!

Don’t Trash a Previous Employer.

No one wants negative and lacklustre people floating around, moaning about their workload and life in general. Be the type of person that people enjoy having around!

Be full of Enthusiasm and Positivity.

This is one of the quickest ways to talk yourself out of the new position. If you criticise your old boss, the interviewer will assume you will do the same about them.

Ask Questions.

Asking questions illustrates your enthusiasm and interest in the position and simply shows you’ve been paying attention. Don’t wait for sudden inspiration — prepare strong questions in advance, even if you already know the answers.

Don’t Talk Too Much.

Make sure you don’t waffle on. The interviewer has plenty of other things to do. Answer their question fully – but ensure you are concise! The more you repeat yourself, the less interested the interviewer will become. Pay attention to social cues – if you get cut off mid speech, then rein it in!!

Turn your phone off.

Before you arrive… turn it off! The very last thing you need is for your Mum to decide to ring you in the middle of the interview, to find out how you got on! It will completely undermine the message you are presenting at the time.

Thank the interviewers!

At the end of the interview, thank them for their time. It lets them know that you recognise that they took time out from their busy schedule to evaluate you. Appreciation is always appreciated!!

Later the Same Day

Follow up Email

A quick email thanking them for taking the time to meet you and that you look forward to hearing from them is simple politeness, but you will be amazed at how many people do not bother!