Interviews are a two-way process and an opportunity for an employer to see whether you are suitable for the job, and for you to see whether the position is suitable for you.

Below is some advice on how to prepare for an interview and how you can make a good first impression on your prospective employer.

Before the interview

Prepare yourself: Think about your skills, qualifications and experience – what are they? Ensure you can talk about them confidently. Use examples from previous work to show how you utilised these skills.

Research the company: It is important to research the company before your interview as it will give you a good background knowledge and awareness about the company’s activities, achievements and operations. Visit the company’s website to find out what they do, what products or services they offer, how many staff they employ, where they are located, and so on.

Note down some questions to ask: You should refrain from asking about pay and benefits related questions at the first meeting. These questions are better left until a second interview or until a job offer is made. In the first instance, you could ask:

• How would you describe a typical day for the person doing this job?
• What training is available?
• What scope is there for career development?
• How often do you hold staff performance appraisals?
• How soon do you expect to make a decision?
• What is the next step from here?

Questions you may be asked: It can help to anticipate questions you may be asked by the employer so that you can practise your responses in advance of the interview. These may include:

• What attracted you to our company?
• Why did you choose this profession? What do you like about it?
• What has been your greatest achievement?
• What do you think are the top three skills one should possess to do well in this position?
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Describe how you can utilise your previous work experience in this role.
• What can you bring to our company?
• Why should we hire you?

Dress code & appearance: Ensure you wear smart business attire, have clean shoes and clothing, tidy hair, and keep perfume/aftershave and make up to a minimum.

Travel: Plan your journey in advance to ensure you arrive at least 10 minutes early. It is also a good idea to take your contact’s telephone number with you in case the worst happens and you get lost or stuck in traffic.

Paperwork: It may be useful to take copies of certain written information with you. If you do, carry them in a suitable case or folder. Documents you could take:

• CV, references, certificates, portfolio or examples of your work
• Re-read the job description/advert to refresh your memory, or, take a copy to use as a reference point for question.

During the interview

So, you have prepared yourself, planned your route, researched the company, prepared some questions to ask and anticipated what you may be asked. Finally, it’s the day of the interview.

First impressions: You will make an impression in the first few minutes of an interview, which is why it is important for you to smile, offer a good firm handshake, as well as plan your greeting.

Communication: Interviews are a two-way process and an opportunity for you to show an employer the benefits of employing you. Whilst it is important for you to sell yourself by detailing your relevant skills and experience, you must be careful not to monopolise the interview and allow the employer to speak.

The next steps: At the end of the interview, thank the employer for their time, and agree what the next step will be. Find out who will be contacting you to let you know the outcome of your interview, and when you expect to find out whether or not you have been successful. You should also find out whether the next step will be a decision/job offer or second interview.

At the end of the interview: If you are interested in the position, make sure you let the employer know. It is always good to leave on a positive note.

Tips & advice on making a good first impression

Here are some interview do’s and don’ts that may help you create a good first impression:

Do:

• Be confident.
• Smile, be polite and friendly.
• Offer a good firm handshake.
• Keep eye contact during the interview.
• Speak clearly.
• Ask for clarification if you don’t understand a question.
• Sell yourself and your strengths.
• Above all, be sure to tell the truth!
• Try to get a good night’s sleep.

Don't:

• Sit until invited.
• Fidget or slouch in your chair.
• Swear.
• Criticise previous employers.
• Interrupt the employer when they are speaking.
• Exaggerate or go over the top.