Preparing For THAT Interview

Congratulations! You’ve managed to get yourself an interview and that’s (hopefully) the final hurdle towards employment.

Interviews tend to be over- and underestimated. It seems that whoever you turn to for advice will be blasé or completely frighten you into not wanting to go.

If you’re prepped, the interview should go smoother than just turning up and you’ll have a better plan of what you are going to say and how to answer difficult questions thrown your way.

Here are 5 simple ways to get interview ready.

1. Practise

Chances are, someone you know will have gone for an interview or two before. Ask them to role-play the meeting with you so you get comfortable answering questions and can rehearse answers. They can advise you on how you’re doing honestly and it gives you time to improve your strategies.

Or head online for websites stuffed with every possible interview question and think through them carefully.

Remember: jobs want to know how you can improve the company and what you can do for them. These are their priorities. Play to them.

2. Dress to impress

Unfortunately, we sometimes do judge a book by its cover. The interviewer will look at you before you have a chance to open your mouth to speak. So leave the Adidas trainers and that jacket you spilled hot chocolate on safely at home.

Typical interview attire is a shirt, trousers or smart skirt and shoes. If they say you can dress how you want, always opt for a chic, presentable you instead of the dress you just bought to go clubbing in.

3. Arrive early

Being late is a big no-no. Arriving at your interview location 10 – 15 minutes early can’t hurt and it also gives you time to get used to your surroundings and calm your nerves.

Have a drink, go to the bathroom, talk to other applicants; just try not to run in 20 minutes late, sweating and too out of breath to answer anything.

4. Be yourself

Again, this is straightforward. But, knowingly or not, we all have a ‘public’ version of ourselves. Your voice changes or your smile, maybe even your laugh.

Try to be as comfortable as possible and bare in mind that they want to know the real you and not the Business Edition you. It’ll come off if you are lying, trying too hard or acting strange, being yourself is the most effective way of putting yourself forward and knowing you did the best you could.

5. Keep calm

… and carry on! Interviews are stressful and intimidating. Hopefully your interviewer will acknowledge that and cut you some slack.

Simple tricks like breathing properly, sitting comfortably and even cracking a joke or two will help you feel more relaxed and your personality to shine through. Imagine you are talking to friends instead of possible future employers.

Interviews are a cardinal step in everyone’s lives and only prepare you for doing one again someday. It’s okay to mess up a little or don’t fret too much if you don’t get the job. Some companies give feedback which could be helpful to you.

Go out there and smash that interview. Good luck!

Nikita studied English with Creative Writing at Brunel University London. Her loves include literature, travelling and writing. She is a spiritual soul and a bit of a wanderer. Stalk her on Twitter and Instagram.

Inspiring Interns is a graduate recruitment agency which specialises in sourcing candidates for marketing internship roles and giving out graduate careers advice. To browse graduate jobs and graduate jobs Manchester, visit their website.