Job interviews can be daunting and it’s natural to feel nervous beforehand. The interview stage of your application is your opportunity to demonstrate that you have the skills and experience needed for the role, while also deciding whether the organisation and opportunity are right for you.
When you receive confirmation of your job interview, make sure you clearly understand:
Refer back to the advert, job description and person specification so you are familiar with the requirements of the position.
If anything is unclear, speak to your Recruitment Consultant or the employer’s recruitment team rather than making assumptions.
Make sure you have researched the organisation ahead of your interview. Taking the time to understand the employer - and referring naturally to what you have learned during the interview - demonstrates genuine interest in the opportunity.
Start with the organisation's website and look at:
You can then broaden your research using LinkedIn, relevant industry news and other reputable sources.
If you know who will be interviewing you, look at their LinkedIn profile too. Understanding their role and background may give you useful context ahead of the interview.
There is no need to memorise everything you discover. The aim is to understand the organisation well enough to have an informed conversation about why the role appeals to you.
Before your interview, go back through the job description and person specification.
Identify:
Then ask yourself: what evidence do I have that I meet these requirements?
Prepare specific examples from your experience rather than relying on general statements about your strengths. If you worked as part of a wider team, be clear about your own role, what you personally did and the difference your contribution made.
Many interviews include competency-based questions, where you are asked to give an example of a time you demonstrated a particular skill or dealt with a specific situation.
The STAR method can help you structure your answer:
For example, you might prepare examples that demonstrate:
You do not need to memorise complete answers. Instead, prepare a bank of useful examples that you can adapt depending on the question you are asked.
It is impossible to predict exactly what an interviewer will ask, but there are some questions you are likely to encounter.
These might include:
Rather than preparing a word-for-word script, think about the main points you want to make and how they relate to the role.
We cover this in much more detail in our guide to 10 common interview questions and how to answer them.
An interview should be a two-way conversation.
The employer is assessing whether you are right for the opportunity, but you are also deciding whether the organisation, team and role are right for you.
Prepare two or three questions that will help you learn something useful.
You could ask about:
Avoid asking something purely for the sake of having a question. The best questions show genuine interest while also helping you decide whether the role and organisation are right for you.
For more ideas, take a look at our guide to the best questions to ask at the end of an interview.
Once you have prepared for the content of the interview, make sure the practical side is covered too.
Plan your journey in advance and allow additional time for delays.
Check:
If you are unfamiliar with the location, a test journey beforehand can be worthwhile.
Aim to arrive around five to ten minutes early. Arriving very late creates obvious problems, but arriving excessively early can also put unnecessary pressure on the interviewer.
Check the platform, internet connection, camera and microphone before the day.
Make sure you have a quiet, well-lit location and that your background is suitable.
We cover the specific considerations in our video interview tips: how to prepare for an online interview guide.
Think about what you are going to wear in advance rather than making the decision while you are rushing on the morning of the interview.
If the employer has provided a dress code, follow it. Otherwise, choose something appropriate for the organisation and role that makes you feel professional and comfortable.
If you are unsure, your Recruitment Consultant may be able to give you some guidance on what is typical for that employer.
Depending on the interview, it can be useful to have:
You may not need to refer to everything you bring, but having it available can help you feel prepared.
Some recruitment processes include a presentation or task alongside the interview.
If you have been asked to prepare one, check the instructions carefully. Make sure you understand the topic, time limit, audience and any technology or equipment you will be expected to use.
Your presentation should be clear, relevant and easy to follow rather than overloaded with information.
We have a separate guide covering how to prepare for an interview presentation in more detail.
Try to greet the interviewer confidently and professionally.
For an in-person interview, pay attention to the impression you create from the moment you arrive. Be polite to everyone you meet, not only the people conducting the interview.
Once the conversation begins, sit comfortably, maintain an open posture and show that you are listening.
You do not need to perform or try to become a different version of yourself. The aim is to communicate clearly and professionally while allowing your personality to come through.
One of the simplest interview tips is also one of the most important: listen to what you are actually being asked.
Do not rush into an answer because you think you know where the question is going.
Take a moment to consider your response and make sure you answer the specific question.
If a question has several parts, it is fine to pause briefly and organise your thoughts before responding.
Make the most of the time you have by focusing your answers on the evidence the interviewer needs.
Avoid giving very long background explanations before reaching the important part of your example.
Similarly, very brief answers may not give the interviewer enough evidence to assess your suitability.
Aim for enough detail to explain the situation and demonstrate your contribution without losing sight of the question.
Using the STAR method can be particularly helpful when an interviewer asks for a specific example.
This is particularly important when describing projects or achievements involving a team.
It is natural to say "we delivered..." or "we decided...", but the interviewer also needs to understand your own contribution.
Explain:
You can still demonstrate good teamwork while being clear about your individual impact.
Body language can affect how confident and engaged you appear.
Try to:
For video interviews, eye contact works slightly differently because you will need to look towards the camera periodically when speaking.
Do not panic.
Interviewers do not necessarily expect you to answer every question immediately or perfectly.
If you need a moment to think, take one.
You might say:
"That's a good question. Let me think of the most relevant example."
If you do not understand the question, ask for clarification.
And if you genuinely do not know something, it is usually better to be honest than to try to bluff your way through an answer.
Where appropriate, explain how you would approach finding the answer or relate the question to something similar you have experienced.
For example:
"I haven't dealt with that exact situation before, but I have worked on something similar..."
This still gives you an opportunity to demonstrate relevant thinking or transferable experience.
Towards the end of most interviews, you will be given the opportunity to ask questions.
Use it.
Refer to the questions you prepared beforehand, but also listen during the interview. Something the interviewer says may prompt a more relevant question.
You may find that some of your prepared questions have already been answered, so having a few options available is useful.
Once the interview is over, take a few minutes to make some notes.
Think about:
This can be particularly useful if there is a second-stage interview.
It also helps you continually improve your interview technique rather than forgetting the details as soon as the meeting finishes.
Depending on the organisation and recruitment process, you may wish to send a brief follow-up message thanking the interviewer for their time and reiterating your interest in the opportunity.
Keep it concise and genuine rather than repeating your application.
If you are working through a recruitment agency, speak to your Recruitment Consultant before contacting the employer directly, as they will often manage communication on your behalf.
If your interview has been arranged through Sellick Partnership, contact your Recruitment Consultant afterwards and tell them how you think it went.
They can:
Your consultant will often know the employer and recruitment process well, so use that knowledge both before and after the interview.
If you are unsuccessful, ask for feedback where it is available.
Not every employer will provide detailed feedback, but useful comments can help you identify areas to work on before your next interview.
Try not to judge your entire interview performance by the outcome alone. Sometimes another candidate simply has experience that more closely matches what the employer needs.
Use any specific feedback you receive to refine your preparation for the next opportunity.
Even well-qualified candidates can weaken their interview performance through relatively simple mistakes.
Failing to research the role or organisation can leave you struggling to answer basic questions and may suggest a lack of genuine interest.
Tailor your examples to the role. Telling the interviewer you are a team player or good communicator is far less powerful than providing evidence.
Keep answers focused while still giving the interviewer enough detail to assess your skills and experience.
You can be honest about why a role was not right for you without criticising former colleagues, managers or employers.
Focus on what you learned and what you are looking for next.
Avoid interrupting or beginning your answer before the interviewer has finished the question.
Listening carefully is part of good communication.
Saying ‘No, I think you've covered everything’ may mean you miss the opportunity to learn more about the role or organisation.
Have a few thoughtful questions prepared so you can learn more about the role and demonstrate your interest.
Over-rehearsed answers can sound unnatural.
Prepare your evidence, but do not memorise a complete script. Interviewers want to understand your experience and how you think, not hear a pre-written speech.
Preparing for an interview can feel much easier when you know what the employer is looking for.
If your interview has been arranged through Sellick Partnership, your Recruitment Consultant can help you understand the role, organisation and recruitment process before the meeting. They can also help you identify the parts of your experience that are most relevant to the role and answer practical questions about the interview format.
Afterwards, they can speak to the employer, gather feedback and support you through any next stages.
For more detailed advice, take a look at our guides to common interview questions, video interviews and interview presentations.
Alternatively, search our latest jobs, register with us or contact one of our consultants today.
