Interview Help and Advice

• Make sure you are sure you know where you are going and how you are going to get there
• Always carry out due diligence and research the company you are going to see. You will be surprised how much you information you can find on the net.
• Don't forget to take your CV and qualifications with you, and take a note book to make notes.
• You may well be asked to produce ID so remember to take it with you.
• Make sure you are well presented; wear a suit.
• Be conservative with jewellery.
• Have a list of questions to ask the interviewer, making sure the first question you ask is NOT 'how much money are you offering' or 'how long do you get for lunch!'
• Don't be late! Plan your journey, and leave extra time. If for any reason you know you are going to be delayed, phone in advance, it shows consideration and initiative.
• Always be courteous when announcing yourself in the reception area.
• Make sure your mobile phone is switched off.

• When you are introduced to the person you are going to see - shake his/her hand firmly.
• Be polite, be alert, and maintain good eye contact and smile.
• Don't rush or doodle in the interview room. Pause at the entrance and walk confidently.
• Wait to be asked to sit down and make sure you sit upright.
• Be positive and speak clearly.
• Don't talk over the interviewer.
• If you feel nervous during your interview let the interviewers know, we are all human!
• Be interested in what the interviewer has to say and listen carefully.
• If you don't understand the question that you are being asked, say so, don't try and wing it, or even worse lie.
• Have a few questions to ask the interviewer that are relevant to the position and company.
• Finally... be enthusiastic. This is your time to shine, make the most of it!

• At the end of an interview always thank the person for taking their time to see you.
• If you are still interested in the position then ask what the next stage is.
• If on the rare occasion you are offered the position, either accept or tactfully ask for some time to consider the offer. i.e. "I am extremely interested in the opportunity but would like a little time to consider before accepting, would that be okay" and preferably give them a specific time you will confirm.
• Always end by reinforcing your interest in the position, "Once again, thank you for your time I am extremely interested in the position, and I hope to hear from you soon."

Interviewers will always leave time to ask you "Do you have any questions?"

If you truly feel that everything has been covered then you could say. "No, I believe that you have covered all the questions I might have raised, thank you very much for your time."

However it is much better to prepare some questions in advance; it brings home the point that you are interested. Listed below are sample questions you could ask the interviewer:

• What kind of training will I receive?
• Who will I be working with?
• Why is this position available?
• Does the company have future plans for development, and if so, how would I fit in?
• What is the dress code?

You will never really know what an interviewer is going to ask, but it is always a good idea to have a few well prepared answers up your sleeve just in case.

The following questions are possibly the most frequently asked during interviews and a quick confident response may well make all the difference between you and another candidate.

• Why are you interested in the position?
• What do you think you can offer this company?
• What are your strengths?
• What are your weaknesses?
• Why should we employ you?
• What do you know about us?
• Where do you see yourself in 5 years?