We’ve taken a look at a list of the ways that you can prepare in order to be confident on the day. Some might seem obvious, but as most people don’t go to an interview very often, it’s a good idea to remind yourself.
- Practice answers to frequently asked interview questions
There are a few questions that are commonly asked at the start of a job interview as they are designed to get you talking and feeling a little more relaxed. It’s a great idea to prepare for these questions with a 2-3 minute response that starts with a strong statement “I am a Web Developer with 5 years’ experience in HTML, CSS and PHP.”
- Be prepared to explain any gaps in your CV
No work history is perfect, but if you have a way of telling a story around these areas planned before the interview – when the question comes up you will be able to answer it in a much clearer way without getting defensive.
- Make yourself familiar with the job description and person requirements
By reading and re-reading the job description and person specification you can identify experiences from your work history that demonstrate key skills or knowledge that relate to the role. Employers love to hear about real life applications of skills and so having a list of good examples of how you are relevant is a great way of ensuring you deliver good answers.
- Think about questions you may be asked about your specialism
Most interviewers are likely to ask questions related to the specific job/type of job you are applying for, for example, if you are a Web Developer you may be asked about specific programming languages.
- Dress appropriately
This one is a given- Dressing well can help your confidence as well as making a good impression, so make sure you know what you’re going to wear and have it ironed and ready for the morning of your job interview.
- Pre plan travel arrangements
Make sure you know exactly where you’re going and how to get there before the morning of your interview. Getting lost or running late can be incredibly stressful and cause heightened anxiety throughout the interview. Check timetables if you are traveling on public transport or pre-program your route in to a sat-nav if you are driving. It’s always good to check parking around the area if you are diving.
