You only have one chance to make a first impression and preparation is the first step towards this.

Ensure the following three things:

1. You know the exact time and location of the interview. Consider the route, parking, and how long it will take. DO NOT BE LATE.
2. You know the Interviewer’s correct name and title.
3. You dress appropriately for the interview; ask your consultant to find out what is expected.

Preparation

Find out as much information as you can about the company and the role:

• The company’s mission.
• The market in which it operates.
• Its competitors.
• Any recent occurrences within the company.
• Find out if you can discover anything about the interviewer; for example his interests or he may be a family man, etc., this could be through your own contacts or you could ask your consultant.
• Try to get a job specification.
• Look at the company’s website.
• Look at recent industry press.

Interview Techniques

As well as researching the company, you need to prepare your interview techniques:

• Look people in the eye when you’re talking to them.
• Shake hands firmly
• Be a good listener as well as talker.
• Answer the interviewer’s questions clearly and concisely, and do not go off on a tangent.
• Be positive: do not make derogatory remarks about your past employees.
• Do not enquire about salary or benefits at first interview stage.
• Do not go into the interview smelling of smoke

You Might Get Asked...

There are standard questions that interviewers ask that you can be prepared for:

Talk through your C.V.?, highlighting and explaining any situations that you believe will be of interest to the interviewer. Try to do this in a concise and charismatic way to get your personality across.

• Strengths and weaknesses?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years’ time?
• What made you choose your career path?
• What do you think you can bring to the company?
• Why would you like to work at this company?
• What do you like to do outside work?
• What management style gets the best out of you?
• Be prepared for any technical questions. Know any figures that you might need.

You Might Want to Ask...

At the end of the interview, you will be asked whether you have any questions. It is always good to have some of these prepared:

• Why do you enjoy working for...?
• What training do you give?
• What is the next stage of the process?
• What is the company culture like?
• What types of people usually grow quickly within the organisation?
• Why has this role become available?
• What makes your company stand out from your competition?
• What do you think I will find most challenging about the role? - This will give you the opportunity to justify any reservations that they might have about you.

Feel free to take any notes into the interview and to make notes while the interview is taking place. The interviewer will consider this good attention to detail and it will come across that you are well-prepared and considered.