Top Tips On How To Prepare For An Interview (And Succeed)

Practical advice on how to prepare for an interview to increase your chances of landing the job.

Every day, many people face a nerve-wracking battle to get their dream job. They do hours of preparation before the interview, setting questions and practicing answers in front of the mirror. They rehearse until they can answer any question confidently. But often that all goes to waste when they find themselves in a room with the interviewer panicking over which question they should ask first…

However, good interview skills can help you to make a great impression and secure the job or the promotion you seek. Whatever type of interview you face, careful preparation is essential and will be a key factor in how you perform on the day and the impression you create.
In this article, we’ll be covering some useful tips that help you prepare for your next interview and give you the best chance of walking away with a fantastic new job at the end!

Have a goal in mind

Always decide in advance what you want to gain from the interview. In most cases this will be a job offer, but you may have other objectives. For example, you may wish to obtain more information on the job and the organisation, an opportunity to meet the decision makers and so on. If your objectives are unclear, this will be obvious to the interviewers.

Learn everything you can about the company

Before you walk into an interview, it is important to know as much as you can about the company and the role you are applying for. This will help you to be able to answer questions confidently and show that you are a good fit for the role.

The best way to prepare for an interview is to research the company and the position you are applying for. This will help you to understand the company’s culture and what they are looking for in a candidate.

You should be able to find useful information on the company’s own website, company databases, business information sites and social media sites such as LinkedIn and Twitter.

Discover as much as you can about the company’s:

  • history, ownership and products or services
  • size, structure and location of sites
  • stability, prosperity and financial strength
  • reputation, strengths and weaknesses
  • competitors

Be confident in your understanding of the job role

It’s also key to ensure you have a great understanding of the position you are applying for. This information will help you to think about how your own skills and experience meet the job requirements.

A careful review of any documentation you have been sent, such as copies of the job description and the person specification should help you to establish:

  • the extent of duties and responsibilities
  • Required qualifications and experience
  • Who you will be reporting to
  • the employer’s expectations
  • the conditions of employment

Practice, practice, practice.

One of the best ways to prepare for an interview is to simulate the interview experience as much as possible.

Practice answering common interview questions before the big day. This will help you to feel more confident and avoid getting tongue-tied when asked a question in the moment.

Also, be sure to have a few questions prepared ahead of time so that you can ask them during the interview. This shows that you are interested in the company and the role.

First impressions matter

Keep in mind that the people interviewing you will have a significant say in whether or not you get hired, and could have a big role to play in your role, so making a good first impression is vital.

Key things to consider to ensure you make a good impression:

  • Find out who will interview you and get to know more about their background
  • How to get there, and arrive early
  • Dress appropriately for the interview. Avoid anything too casual or flashy.
  • Be polite and courteous to everyone you meet during the interview process. This includes the receptionist, the people you meet in the waiting area, and of course, the interviewer themselves.