Good interview preparation is key to creating the right impression and securing you a new job. This article looks at some of the important aspects of preparing for your interview. With these tools you can go into your interview with confidence.

So you have a job interview coming up and want to give yourself the best chance of securing a new position and advancing your career. What preparation should you do to make sure you give the right impression?

First, make sure you’ve got the essentials covered. Check you have a printed copy of the company name, address and telephone number where the interview will take place, as well as the name of the person who will be interviewing you. Get a map of the area so you’re sure you know where you’re going. Work out your route and make sure how you know how long it will take you to get there. Think about when you need to leave, giving yourself plenty of time in case you get stuck in traffic or your train is delayed. 

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Consider the job you’re applying to do, as well as the company. Go through the job description and read it thoroughly, ensuring you know what you will be expected to do in the role. A job title is a good guide, but different companies will expect different things from the same role. Is there anything in the description which is unclear, or anything you feel is missing? These are all things you should raise in your interview.

Look on the company website and take note of their product portfolio and any company news. If there’s information on the employees, or other vacancies it’s worth making a note of this as well. Go through this with an eye to what you are going to be doing for the company and where your skills fit with the companies needs. Print off a couple of pages from the website which highlight anything you want to raise in the interview – this shows the interviewer you are well prepared and organised.

Once you’re comfortable with your knowledge of the company and the role that they are recruiting for, it is time to consider the interview itself. Find out, with the company or agency that has put you forward for interview, whether there is anything specific you need to prepare so you know what to expect on the day. A quick phone call shows that you are serious about the role as well as ensuring there are no unpleasant surprises.

In many cases a first interview is described as an informal chat. This is something of a misnomer as it is something to take seriously; it is a conversation about the position and will decide on your future in the application process. In interviews described this way, you can expect to meet with one or two employees, either your peers or managers in your new role.

Typically there are three stages common to almost all interviews. While there may be other stages, such as personality or technical tests, it is very unusual that any of components below are not present, so they are essential to prepare for. 

Your interviewer will introduce you to the company, their products and the vacancy they are recruiting for. Consider what you know about the company and compile a short list of questions. Asking questions at this stage shows interest and you have considered the information being presented to you.

Following this is often questions from the employer about you, your background and your experience. This is normally taken from your CV, but bear in mind that the interviewer may have looked on social networking sites, or your website or blog. Be aware of what information you have in the public domain, and be prepared to answer any questions on it. There are a number of fairly standard questions which you can expect to be asked; so prepare your answers to these:

  • Why are you looking to change jobs?
  • What appeals to you about this role?
  • Where do you see your career in 5 or 10 years?
  • What salary are you looking for?
  • What skills or qualities do you think you can bring to the company?
  • How would you go about fulfilling this role?

You will always have a time at the end of an interview to ask questions of your own and it is important that you do so. It is well worth preparing a list of a dozen questions or so to take with you. This ensures you remember to ask any important questions in the interview and also shows good preparation and organisation on your part. Have them written down and run through them in the interview. Do not be afraid to be direct in your questions – it is important your questions about the job are understood and answered. There are a number of good general questions to ask at this stage, including:

  • How many other candidates are you interviewing?
  • What training is available in the role?
  • What are the more rewarding or frustrating elements of the job?
  • What opportunities exist for me to develop my career from this position?
  • How much travel is involved?
  • Will my work be mostly independent, or as part of a team?

Finally, consider how you want to end the interview. Key questions at the end of the interview show a positive interest in the role, such as:

  • When can I expect to hear from you?
  • What is the next stage in the interview process?
  • What do you think of me as a candidate for the role?