At the interview – make a good impression

Preparation

Before you attend an interview, it’s essential to do some background research on the company. Once you’ve done that, make sure you know the exact time, date and location of your interview, as well as the name of the interviewer (including pronunciation) and their position within the company. Arrive 5-10 minutes early. Plan your route in advance.

Find out as much as you can about the job. If you have a job description, read it thoroughly. Study the job description and try and work out what sort of person is required and match that to your own strengths and skills. Give some thought to the types of questions you might be asked and prepare some of your own for the end of the interview – it will not reflect well on you if you can’t think of anything to say when asked if you have any questions. Avoid questions related to the salary, benefits package, working hours, etc.

Presentation

The importance of your first impression cannot be overstated. Think very carefully about what to wear well ahead of your interview and make sure that you are as well-presented as possible. Men should always aim to wear a dark business suit, clean white shirt and sober tie. Women should wear a skirt or trouser suit, or alternatively a smart skirt, blouse and jacket (skirts should not be too short).

Shoes should be well-polished and not scuffed. Jewellery should be kept to a bare minimum as should perfume (remember to wash your hands after applying!), aftershave and make-up. If you have visible piercings, take them out. It’s best not to smoke prior to an interview to avoid telltale tobacco odour. Likewise, avoid garlic, onions and spicy foods the night before. Finally, take a step back in the mirror and ask yourself, “Am I dressed for the office or for a night out?” If it’s the latter, time to go back to the wardrobe.

For further direction download our ‘Interview Guidelines’ document.