Preparing for an interview:
Firstly, it is important that you read and understand the job spec or course details and be clear in your mind how your skills match up. Write them down so that you have notes to refer to as these could help form good questions to ask during your interview.
Do your research:
Researching a company prior to an interview is absolutely imperative. Look to gain an understanding of what their values, products, and services are. How relevant are these to you? It may make a difference to the interviewer’s impression of how enthusiastic you are for the job. Check out the news section on their website so you have some up-to-date information on what they are involved in. It may also provide you with some relevant and thought-provoking questions & answers.
Plan for common interview questions and answers:
Depending on what your interview is for, you can usually predict the kinds of questions you are likely to be asked. Make a list of possible questions and write down your answers – remember you need to ensure you relate your answers to your skills, experience, and personal qualities. The application form and job spec or course description will help you with this task.
The Interview:
Structuring answers:
Use the STAR method to structure answers to questions:
S – The situation you were in
T – The task you had to do
A – The action you took
R – Result you achieved
Be polite, smile and listen carefully:
As you meet your interviewers don’t forget to smile and appear pleased to be there. Even if you’re feeling nervous, try to appear confident and alert and above all else listen really carefully and think before you answer their questions.
At the end, thank them for their time to show your appreciation.
Ask for feedback:
If you are unsuccessful in your interview, it’s a good idea to ask for feedback. They will usually be happy to give it and it will help you identify the areas that didn’t go very well and where you could improve next time.
How NC Group can help you prepare for an interview:
Our careers advisers are experts in helping young people on to the career ladder and they are available to give you all the latest careers advice.
We can help with the following:
- Provide you with relevant information on how to prepare for your interview
- Develop your understanding of how to answer interview questions
- Run through a mock interview
- How to dress for an interview and other interview tips
For further information or support please contact us on
phone: 01388 737121
