We always look to provide our candidates advice on interviewing , whether you’re a seasoned pro or a fresh graduate you can never be to well prepared for an interview.

Even as a seaoned professional, we recommend that you work through a check list with your recruiting agent . You agent will have an inside knowledge of the clients preferences, techniques, likes, dislikes along with the make up and infrastructure of the team you are applying to join..

We cant promises to help you win over your prospective employer for you but the following advise will prepare you and give you some foundations from which you can build and add your own experience.

Every Client and interviewing manager will have differing approaches and there is no set format you can rely on. However our experience of successful interviews that convert into offers generally will have followed a set criteria that we understand from our clients feed back. You should take into account the following areas when approaching every interview, whether it is your first or your 3rd interview preparation is the key.

Company Background

You should prepare yourself with as much information about the company and the position you are applying for. Always make independent enquiries either directly or at very least by visiting the company's website. This should provide good information about the overall portfolio of the companies products/services. If possible obtain an understanding of the structure of the company along with a thorough understanding of the position the company holds within its specialised market .

Interviewers

It is good practice to understand how many people you may be interviewed by as well as the format of the interview, ie panel , individuals, tasks, role play , assessments Psychometric etc. Always show a keen interest in your interviewer understanding his position always helps.

Location

Never assume always talk either directly to the site. Establish for yourself that you understand the directions with your agent which site you will be expected to attend along with any special instructions relating to security. Make sure you have a map and or directions relating to your mode of transport.

Punctuality

Always allow more time than you expect. It is better to arrive early and read the companies literature or familiarise yourself with the location of the reception.

It is NEVER a good first impression if you turn up late.

If, for reasons beyond your control you are going to be late, You should always be armed with your agents direct number as well as the clients main switchboard number. Contact your agent and the company you are interviewing with, inform them of your expected time of arrival and let us know that you have done this.

On arrival, apologise immediately and explain your reasons.

Early is always better, collect your thoughts go over any last minute refreshers of you preparation notes, check your intended questions you have prepared.

Dress

Always dress to impress, your first impression is key. Be aware of the company

culture and ensure you dress to impress never dress down unless you are invited to do so. Plan your wardrobe at least the night before avoid the last minute rush to wash your desired outfit or dry clean your suit.

Make sure you have a copy of your own CV and that you can deliver your experience in a concise clear manner understandable by either technical or non technical interviewers. You should be well practiced in answering questions relating to your CV. Practice this with a friend or colleague it will pay dividends if your are prepared.

First impressions on arrival

Greet everyone you meet with a warm smile, a firm handshake and be polite. We consider it very important to maintain good eye contact levels at all times, especially with the interviewer to whom you are responding to.

Our experience of mirror matching your interviewer by adopting the style of the interviewer i.e. if they are formal, be formal, if they are informal, be informal.

Never allow yourself to be drawn into copying or obviously mirroring. If your interviewer swears never allow yourself to mirror remain professional at all times.

Interview Techniques

Remember you are selling yourself; It is vital you understand what the interviewer is looking for. Try to steer the interview to your strengths and how they relate to your understanding of the clients requirements. It is also an opportunity to get the information you want from the company, afterall you must be sold on joining them.

Always ask questions this show you have a real interest in the position and the company. Have questions prepared based on information you previously researched about them. Make sure you also leave the interview with enough information to make an informed decision on the suitability and desire to join the organisation.

Your questions should demonstrate an interest in their line of work or services as well as your enthusiasm and interest in the role itself. You should reframe from discussing holiday entitlement, pensions until you are firmly in the closing stages of your 2nd or 3rd interview.

Remember your CV has been selected through a filtering process with very specific criteria. Regardless of your capabilities and proven background, you still need to put in a good performance in promoting why they should select you.

Remember it's a two-way-street....

Check out our even more indepth guide click here to download