So you’ve applied for a new job and been asked in for an interview, congratulations! So, now what? We’ve put together a few handy tips to make sure you have the best chance of securing the role.

Research!

It’s always a good idea to learn as much as you can about the company you might be stepping into. Some employers love to ask some variation of “What do you already know about this company?”, so it’s definitely a good idea to have a solid understanding of what kind of things they do.

You might also find it helpful to study the job description, employers write these so that they can attract the right candidates. For example, if they are looking for “attention to detail/good organisation skills” it would be a good idea to have a few examples of this in your back pocket in case it comes up.

Think about first impressions

When arriving for an interview, you want your potential future employer to see you at your best the first time they see you. Try to make sure you have smart, clean clothes, arrive on time, and project confidence with your body language (even if you don’t feel it) by standing up straight and maintaining eye contact wherever possible.

Prepare your own questions

Almost every interviewer, regardless of the company or industry will ask “Have you got any questions for us?” line, usually towards the end of the Interview. When they ask this, a lot of people are stumped and don’t ask anything. But, if you ask them something they weren’t expecting, it will make you stand out against any other candidates they’re seeing.

Here’s a few examples:

• What stood out to you most about my CV?
• What are the top skills that every employee should possess?
• What are the most important projects for this role in the first six months?

Don’t rush through your answers

We get it, job interviews can feel very stressful! However, it’s important you listen carefully to the interviewers questions to make sure you understand, you can even ask them to repeat if you need. Nobody will mind if you take a few moments to think about your response, and a well thought out answer is often better than a rambling one! Try not to speak too quickly as you want to make sure your interviewers can understand exactly why you’d be such an asset to their company.

Be yourself!

Whilst you should certainly act professional, most recruiters are looking for someone they would like to work with as well as someone who has the right skills on paper. If you let your personality shine through, it will leave a lasting impression!