How to prepare for a job interview: 8 top tips 

Although the recruitment process has evolved lately, due to the global pandemic, shifts in the ways of working and changes in candidate expectations, the job interview remains one of the most anxiety-inducing experiences we can put ourselves through (and voluntarily, at that).

Preparation (all together now) is key and can significantly alleviate your nerves, so it’s definitely worth doing some work beforehand – it could be the difference between: “Thank you for your time” and: “When can you start?”.

To help you prepare, we’ve put together our top tips.

1) Always do more research
You probably viewed the company’s website when you applied for the job, but take another look, reading up on recent activities and core values. It’s great to go armed with additional knowledge that extends beyond what’s on the home page and it could help you come up with some impressive questions to ask your interviewer. It also shows you’re serious and genuinely interested about the job. Don’t forget to follow the company’s social media accounts, either. LinkedIn updates (and any comments made by employees) can reveal so much more than you’d find on the official website.

A few things to search for include who the company leaders are, any competitors and which skills they value the most.

2) Quiz your recruitment consultant
As the expert who just knew you’d be perfect for this vacancy, your recruitment consultant is familiar with the role and the employer. They may have successfully placed other candidates in the business and might know what form the interview will take, so are in a perfect position to give you a little inside information to boost your confidence. Your consultant will call you before the interview – think of them as your secret weapon – so grill them for as much information as
you can!

“We’re here to help you secure that job, so ask away!” says David Edment, Executive Recruitment Lead

3) Practise interview questions
Using the job description or person specification as a guide, you (and your recruitment consultant, if necessary) should be able to second-guess what you might be asked, so jot down some bullet points. Practising in advance can really help with the nerves. Some people favour the STAR method as a way to stay on track with an answer (situation, task, action, result), though this can sound a little over-rehearsed. Conveying what happened and what you did about it is the main thing. Remember also to prepare answers to commonly asked questions, such as: “Why do you want this job?” and “Why are you leaving your current role?”

To answer: “What are your salary expectations?” do some research to find out typical pay ranges for the role and what you’re worth. Sites like Payscale and Glassdoor can help,” says Cristina de Pedro Riera, Consultant

4) Check the interview details
To avoid a heart-stopping, last minute panic, always check your interview details in advance. That way, if there is a problem, it can be addressed in plenty of time. There’s nothing so effective in creating a bad first impression as turning up or logging on late. Even if your interviewer kindly overlooks any issue, it may still throw off your concentration and could impact your responses, especially if there’s a task to complete. Times, locations, how to get there, parking, Zoom links – don’t leave the small details to the last minute.

“Checking the details removes any additional stress, so you can concentrate on the job in hand,” says Victoria Porte, Consultant

5) Create a clear, peaceful space for your video call
Related to the previous point, if your interview is taking place via a phone or video call, it’s essential to identify a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed. A bustling cafe or at home with the dogs is far from ideal, plus it will frazzle your nerves. Find a space which will enable you to devote your full attention to the interview and give it your best shot. Try to create a clear background, if possible, temporarily removing anything you don’t want to appear in shot.

79% of employers now carry out video interviews, post-pandemic, according to OnRec.

6) Remain loyal
When asked about your previous employment history, it might be tempting to launch into a vicious diatribe about how awful your former employer / boss / colleagues were, and how they treated you so badly. Don’t. Even if it’s the absolute truth, a negative recollection can reflect poorly on you, hinting that you might not be a team player or the right fit, so never slight former colleagues in your interview. Prepare instead to demonstrate how an adverse situation helped you learn or grow, highlight the positive outcomes and try to appear loyal – it’s a virtue employers really like.

You never know who knows who, so always avoid badmouthing your old company,”
says Kieran White, Senior Consultant and Account Manager

7) Check your social media profiles
Probably something that should be taken care of earlier in your job search, review your privacy settings and/or the content on your social media accounts, so that your prospective employer doesn’t see anything that might make them think twice about inviting you to a second interview. The notion of ‘snooping’ on applicants is controversial, but it does happen, so take a few minutes to ensure your personal life remains personal.

21% of employers admit to dropping a candidate after viewing their social media profiles.

8) An interview is a two-way conversation
A fact many people don’t realise is that a job interview ought to be a two-way conversation; a discussion which gives you the opportunity to get to know the company, the team and the job just as much as the interviewers get to know you. It’s a chance to get a feel for the business and the working environment (if your interview is in person). The way you are treated during the interview and the process will also be an indicator of how you’ll be treated as an employee. Bear this in mind as you prepare and it could give you a whole different perspective on interviews.

“When it comes to calming your nerves, this is a crucial point to remember,” says James Senior, Senior Consultant

Those are our top tips, but don’t forget that we’re here to support, advise and encourage you not only when it’s interview time, but throughout the entire job search process. We’ve always got your back. Get in touch to ask us any career-related questions.

Pull out: One in every two Parity candidates gets invited to an interview.