Most job applications will involve an interview at some stage in the process, so if you can brush up on interview technique beforehand, you'll be in the best position on the day.

1. Your guide to:
A successful
interview
You’ve found the job, wowed with your CV, and now you’re through to the interview stage.
Take a moment to congratulate yourself - just a moment mind; there’s work to be done.
Succeeding at interview is the ultimate goal of any job search (unless you just really
want the practice), so you need to approach it with as much thought, planning and
thoroughness as the search, CV preparation, and cover letter stages.
Your potential new employer will be trying to decipher what sort of person you are,
whether you can do the job, and how well you’ll fit in with their company culture; your
aim is to convince them that you’re the person they’re looking for, more than capable
of taking on the role, and the perfect fit for their company.
Not all interviews are the same
As well as the traditional one-to-one • What format the interview is likely Because we’re focused on your future,
interview (which we know can be to take it’s really important to us that you go
intimidating enough), there’s always a into each interview feeling confident
• How many interviews you’ll have
chance that you might be interviewed and well prepared; which is why we’ll
over the phone, by a panel of people, • The name and job titles of your always do our utmost to help you
or be asked to take assessment tests. interviewer(s) understand the culture, values and
The good news is that if you get an ethos of the company that you’re
• Who else you’re likely to meet and
interview through Office Angels, we’ll interviewing for - but you need to put
when
tell you what to expect on the day, in the groundwork too.
including: • If you should expect any
assessments, and if so, which type
• Whether you’ll be expected to
deliver any presentations
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2. Know what you want to say If it’s practical, try to visit the place • Talk positively about results,
your interview is being held beforehand profitability and productivity,
It’s safe to assume that you’ll be asked so that you know how to get there, so that the interviewer can see
some fairly standard questions about how long it’s likely to take, and what evidence of your success and
work, the job you’re being interviewed the parking facilities are like. If you’re determination
for, and your strengths, weaknesses, arriving by public transport, make sure
• Communicate your points in a
and experience. You might also be you give yourself enough time to allow
factual but sincere way
asked about how you’d handle certain for delays and disruptions - a cancelled
professional situations, such as dealing train isn’t a good enough excuse when
with a difficult customer or juggling a you could have caught the one before. You’re bound to be nervous, and
heavy workload, so it’s wise to plan if you’ve rehearsed the questions
some answers prior to the interview - beforehand, you might be eager to
that way, you’ve got something to draw Perfecting your interview get your answers across as soon as
on at the crucial moment. you have the chance; but before you
technique rush in, make sure that you’ve listened
But the preparation doesn’t end there. The most important thing when you attentively to the question you’re
first meet your interviewer is to appear being asked. You should also avoid
You need to think of some questions confident. Even if you don’t feel it, you yes/no answers where possible - the
of your own to demonstrate your can still convey confidence with your interviewer is keen to get to know who
interest in the job, such as: actions. you are, and such short responses
won’t give them anything to go on.
• How did the vacancy come about?
• How do they see the role • Start with a firm handshake and If you’re ever unsure about a question
developing? be aware of your body language and need more clarification, it’s much
• What challenges face the team/ better to ask and be clear about what
• Speak clearly and make sure that
department/organisation? you’re answering, than to guess and
your voice sounds warm
answer incorrectly. After all, it shows
• What would they expect you to • Keep enough eye contact to great confidence and communication
achieve in the first three months? establish sincerity, and remember skills on your part.
to smile
It’s also a good idea to think of some Before you leave the interview,
• Be enthusiastic about the job and
questions that demonstrate your remember to politely shake hands and
the prospect of working for them
research into the job, the organisation, thank your interviewer(s) for the chance
and the market in which it operates. • Use body language to emphasise to learn more about the job and the
your enthusiasm and support what organisation - however you think it
you’re saying went.
You only get one chance at
a first impression The interviewer isn’t trying to trick you;
they just want to make sure that you’re
It’s a cliché, but it’s true. You need the the right person for the job - so leave
interviewer to believe in you from the them in no doubt.
moment you walk through the door,
so help them out by getting to your
interview early. Nothing makes a worse • Use convincing STAR examples
first impression than arriving late, so (Situation, Task, Action, Result)
double check the time of your interview, to show what you’ve achieved in
where it’s being held and how to get previous jobs, and what you could
there. contribute to this one
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3. Some final thoughts from • Take a notebook, file or diary And when the whole process is over,
the experts to write down key issues and make sure you give us a call to talk
questions through how you think the interview
• Get a good night’s rest before went; we’ll do the same with your
• Read company press releases
each interview employer, and have feedback for
and brochures for up-to-date
you as soon as we can.
• Try to arrive early to showcase your information
timekeeping skills • Resist the urge to criticise your
• Take a mobile in case of previous employer
unexpected delays, but switch it off • Avoid trying to negotiate salary
when you get there or terms of employment until you
• Make sure your clothes and receive an offer
personal grooming make the right • Never pressurise your interviewer
impression for a decision - nobody likes to be
• Limit hand luggage to a good put on the spot
quality briefcase or portfolio
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