At Francis James Recruitment we really want you to succeed at interview stage, because if your successful then so are we. Here are some great tips that you can follow to prepare for your interview:  

 

Research the Company  

  

Very often people focus their attention on preparing their answers and leave the research of the company for the last minute. This usually results in awkward silence or mumbling when asked company-specific questions during the interview. Employers use these types of questions to check if you have done your homework and to see whether you really want the job. 

 

Spend a few hours researching the company. A starting point is the company website, but do not limit your research only to this company channel. Search online for recent product launches, corporate news, awards they have received. Their social media channels will probably feature some of these and will help you form a better idea of the organisation.

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Make sure that you know what the interview format is and who is interviewing you in advance.   

  

Practice your answers 

  

Once you have done your research you can start practicing your answers. Even though there is no set format for every interview you can still practice answering the most common interview questions. These will focus on your strengths and weaknesses, skills and knowledge, your motivation and why you think you are the best candidate for the job.

 

Have ready answers to some of the most common questions

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“Tell me about yourself?”

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“What’s your biggest weakness?”

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"What are your Biggest Strengths?"

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If asked about your weaknesses focus on something you are struggling with you are working on improving, giving examples of your progress to date. 

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Search for common interview questions online and prepare good, well structured answers. You can use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, and Result) technique. Start by outlining the situation and the task you had to complete.

 

Be more detailed in explaining the actions you took, why you took them, and how they relate to your skills. Finish by describing the final result, what you learned and how that helped the company you were working for. 

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Be ready to explain what interests you in the particular role and company and how you can contribute to their success if hired.  

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You can practice answering certain questions while looking in the mirror or arrange a mock interview with a friend. These will help you get more comfortable with the answers. You can also bring a copy of your resume, references, portfolio and documents to the interview. Even if they do not need them it shows that you are well-prepared. 

 

Dress accordingly 

  

If you want the job you need to look the part. Dress smart with well-fitting clothes and polished shoes. This will ensure that you make a good first impression. If you are not sure what to wear, business dress code is preferable, unless you have been told to dress casually, make sure that your outfit is ready the day before the interview.  

 

Stay in control 

 

No matter how nervous you are just before the interview, stay in control. Plan your route and give yourself some extra time. Remember to speak clearly, smile and be friendly. Answer with confidence and focus on promoting yourself. Your body language is also very important, so sit up straight in a good posture. You can use hand gestures, but avoid crossing your arms and legs as this is associated with being defensive. 

 

Ask questions 

  

Now that you have answered your interviewers’ questions it is time to ask some of your own. These should be prepared in advance during your research of the company. Get around three to five questions, some about the job itself and a few about the goals and culture of the company.

These will demonstrate your interest in the position. 

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Good Luck