Interview Tips

‘Fail to prepare, prepare to fail’ goes the saying and your approach to a job interview should be the same. At PDM Recruitment Consultancy we have taken to time to put together these tips and advice so that our candidates feel more prepared and confident at the final stage of recruitment.

Before the interview

• Gather as much information about the company for which the interview is, certain information can be found on the company’s website. Gather information like company history, financial position, services or products and competitors. Doing this will show that you possess the required knowledge and initiative for the job in question.

• Practise makes perfect so be sure that you can answer questions about the key dates from your CV. Remember to go over these before hand.

• Know you interviewers name and correct title.

• Plan your route, learn the best way to get there in plenty of time. Preferably do a ‘dry run’ the day before so that you are familiar with the route and where to park. There is nothing worse than being late as this will leave you stressed.

• Have an early night before and avoid caffeine as you do not want to be over stimulated.

• Make sure you have some questions to put forward to the interviewer. Remember an interview is a two way process, this will help you to know if this is the right company for you to progress your career.

During the interview

• Again arrive no more than 5 minutes early, never be late. If you are unavoidably late through to events outside of your control, have the number of who to ring to tell them that you will be late.

• Greet the interviewer by name with a positive smile and a firm handshake.

• Wait until you are asked to take a seat and remember to give positive eye contact

• Your body language will give a lot away at this stage, so try not to slouch when seated look positive and alert and most of all relax.

• Try to be yourself thought out the interview so that you can get your personality across

• Listen to the interviewer and respond to questions fully and in a timely matter. Never rush your responses or interrupt, if necessary ask for questions to be repeated if you didn’t hear them the first time.

• Remember you are selling yourself so be sure to get your good points across so that the interviewer knows how you will be of benefit to the company. Always use positive words and language to describe your career history.

• Be enthusiastic about your career to date and positive, however try not to boast about accomplishments. You only want to state what benefits you can bring to the company.

After the interview

• This is your chance to ask any questions that you may have, this will show your willingness for the role.

• Shake the interviews hand firmly and maintain positive eye contact.

• Thank the interviewer for their time and follow up the interview with a thank you letter. This will help to give them a positive image of you.