In today’s highly competitive job market preparing for and succeeding at the interview stage has never been more difficult. Here are our top seven interview essentials to help you make the most of any interview opportunities you have.

1. Plan Your Journey

Investigate the location of your interview before the day of the interview and ensure you take into consideration travel arrangements and potential delays. Make sure you also allocate time for finding and entering the building and getting to the right floor. A trial run is always sensible if you are unfamiliar with the location so that you’re prepared for the day itself.

2. First Impressions

Arrive early; five or ten minutes is sufficient. It’s important to give the impression of being in control – don’t be flustered and out of breath because you had to rush to be on time.  Dress the part and when introducing yourself to your interviewer, greet them with a handshake and smile. If you’re unsure about the dress code for the interview, ask your recruitment consultant who will be able to advise you. 

3. Research Your Interviewer

With such easy access to LinkedIn, social media and website profiles, there is no excuse for not researching your interviewer and the company you’re interviewing at. Learn as much as you can about your interviewer, their background and some pertinent details about the company. It will help facilitate your conversation and provide some discussion points for the interview.

4. Look The Part

It’s always preferable to be over dressed rather than under dressed. If you are unsure of the dress code speak with your recruitment consultant for further advice. An interview is not the opportunity to showcase your fashion flair, keep it professional and above all else tidy!

5. Stub It Out

If you are a smoker, we would advise not smoking before your interview. Smoking can sometimes bring a strong odour into an interview and can be very distracting. Ensure your first impression is the best one possible and avoid smoking before an interview.

6. Know Your CV

Your CV is the fundamental reason why you have been selected for the interview and will form the backbone of your conversation during the interview. Ensure you know your CV inside out, including all key achievements, dates and qualifications. The details of your CV will provide talking points during the interview and create opportunities for you to sell in your experience and why you would be a good match for the role.

7. End on a Positive Note

Use the final moments of the interview to end on a positive note. This could be something as simple as saying “thank you for meeting me and I hope you enjoy the rest of your day”. As soon as the interview is over, make contact with your recruitment consultant to discuss and review how it went.

For more advice on how to approach an interview call Fawkes and Reece on 020 7288 0166 and speak with one of our consultants