It goes without saying that preparing for an interview really makes a difference and a good prep can equal success!!

 Getting started…..

 Spend some time researching the company

 All interviewers want to see that you have done some research on the company.

They DON’T expect you to recount the life history of the company or for you tell them more about the company that the average employee would know! They DO want to see evidence that you have done your homework and genuinely thought about why you want to work for them. If you looked at their website, tell them that you did this. If your consultant has told you wonderful things about them as employer, tell them that this appeal to you personally.

Spend some time thinking about the role you are applying for

Read through the job spec and think about the duties/areas that you will be undertaking in the role.  Think about your past experience and how it can relate to what they need you to do in the job. Think about why you think you would be a success in the role – matching your strengths to the role and company. Try to think about what the interviewer will want to know and plan answers that you feel confident talking about.

Plan for the interview, so you are fully prepared for ALL potential questions (see sample interview questions)

 Interviewers are not trying to catch you out - they want you to succeed as it makes their life much easier! All interviews tend to the same format and include questions that are trying to establish the following:

Do you have the EXPERIENCE (technical or skills-wise) to be capable in the job?

Questions form two types of (competency based) – those asking for examples of what you have actually done in the past (competency based) and those that are scenario based and ask what you would do in certain situations.

Questions are always about –

• Your judgment
• How you influence decisions
• How you make decisions
• How you organize and structure your work (meeting deadlines, managing more than one task and prioritizing etc)
• How you resolve conflict
• How you build positive working relationships
• How you learn from mistakes

Are you MOTIVATED and INTERESTED in the role?

Expect to be able to show that you know about the company and role and have a genuine reason for being in the interview!

Are you the right FIT for the team/company culture?

This can come down to personality fit, but all interviewers want to see someone who can work well with others and is positive and friendly in attitude (i.e. strong interpersonal skills).  Think about want you would want to see of you were interviewing – be positive on ALL answers, maintain eye contact and smile!

More top 10 tips for interview:

1. Remember that what you say in the interview is what the interviewers will base their decision upon – you only get once chance and if you don’t tell them, they won’t know you did it!
   

2. Try to avoid saying ‘we did this’ and change to ‘I did this’ so the interviewer is clear that YOU were responsible, not somebody else.
   

3. Some interviewers apply a relaxed approach as they want to see the ‘real’ you.  You can be relaxed, but remember it’s a formal interview and don’t cross the line.  The interviewer still wants to see that you are professional and will be client facing.
   

4. Smile and be solutions orientated. You will bring solutions not problems.
   

5. Never be negative about your previous role or employer, even if you think they are terrible!  This may put doubt in your interviewer mind that you might be one with the issues!
   

6. Always be solutions orientated and show where you have solved problems or learnt from your mistakes and how you have imparted your knowledge to others and helped them to learn.
   

7. Sometimes you will be asked a question to recount some experience that you haven’t had. Do not panic!  Don’t just say ‘no’, I haven’t done that.  Use it as an opportunity to tell the interviewer how you would handle it if you were in that situation or how you have seen others handle it and learnt from it. Other options are to tell them that although you haven’t done it YET, you know you can learn quickly and give them example of how you have learnt quickly in the past. 
   

8. Print off a current copy of your CV in case you need to refer to it and make sure you know what’s on the CV inside out!
   

9. Try to stay calm, don’t rush your answers try to give consideration to all of them. If you need a moment just say to your interviewer can I have a second to think about that.
   

10. Make sure you are smart! On average, people make 11 judgments on appearance within the first 10 seconds.