Plan, prepare, practise – secrets of acing an interview
Just been invited to interview for a new job, a promotion or a university place? First up – congratulations! Did you know that in the UK, only an average of around 2% of candidates who apply for a job are selected to attend a job interview. That could mean as few as five individuals being interviewed out of every 250 applicants!
Landing an interview is no mean achievement. Now, you just have to ace it!
The truth is most of us have a love-hate relationship with interviews. It’s 100% natural to feel a mixture of conflicting emotions – excitement, anticipation, nerves, and dread!
In this blog, we’re sharing our top ‘tried, tested and trusted’ tips on interview success, and it comes down to the three ‘P’s: plan, prepare, practise.
Plan and prepare – doing your homework
Time for some detective work on your future employer (think positive!) Do your research. It’s the foundation of acing an interview. Research everything you can about the company, from its values, its culture, what employees say about them (check out Glassdoor) – to the role itself.
Check the About Us of their website, and their social posts. That way, you can show off your knowledge of your potential future employers once you’re in the interview – it creates a powerfully positive impression and proves that you’re as interested in the company as they are in you. After all, everyone likes to feel that they’re worth finding out about!
Feeling well-prepared increases your confidence level, calms pre-interview butterflies, and helps you perform better on the day.
Handwritten research helps your recall
Plan and prepare your research like a mini study assignment. Arm yourself with your favourite Z-Grips or Sarasa Clip gel pens, and create clear, well-organised notes. Those Mildliner highlighters are super-handy for prioritising and pulling out quotes or facts. Recent research in New Scientist proves that handwritten notes embed key facts much more effectively than typing – and makes them easier to remember in a high-pressure situation like an interview.
Don’t forget you’re interviewing your potential new employers too! You want to be sure you’ll be happy and fulfilled there if you get the job, so prepare questions in advance. You can even plan a light-hearted curveball question back to them – and make a lasting impression as strong as your first!
How do I look? Making that all-important first impression
7 seconds. That’s how quickly our first impressions are formed. Interviewers make lightning decisions about candidates based on appearance, how confident you sound, your body language and your smile! Ninety seconds in, and most interviewers have made their decision about whether you’ll go forward or not.
Feeling confident on the day is a lot about what you wear, so decide in advance so you look and feel comfortable, smart and professional. A well-judged outfit says that you care what impression you’re making. A quick trip to the hairdressers can also work wonders for your confidence too 😉
How do I sound? Putting in the practice
First impressions are based as much on how we speak, as how we look. A clear, calm, coherent manner makes it easier for your interviewers to follow what you’re saying. When we feel nervous, we tend to speed up, so practising your answers out loud before the interview is absolutely crucial. Practise to the mirror, the cat, the baby, to your partner or just to yourself as you’re cooking dinner.
Set time aside from three days before to carry out dress-rehearsals. Practice makes you sound as natural and spontaneous as if you just thought of the answer on the spot!
How to prepare the night before
Look at your notes – and put them away. No last minute cramming! If you’re taking a portfolio, presentation or examples of work with you, make sure you’ve got them altogether, ready to go, and check your route and travel time.
Choose what you want to wear – have a healthy dinner and an early night.
The better prepared you are, the calmer and more confident you’ll feel, and seem.
Is preparing for a virtual interview the same as a face-to-face?
Yes – planning, preparation, and practice still apply. Eighty percent of applicants will have at least one online interview during the whole recruitment process.
We’ve got some extra tips for getting the camera to love you, as well as the interviewers…
- Check your tech a week before, especially if it’s a platform you’re less familiar with. If a connection looks glitchy, you’ll have time to do something about it.
- Curate your background! What’s behind you on camera is your ‘scenery’ so make sure it’s sending the right message about you! Artfully arrange your room so that it looks professional and clutter-free – but with some personality too.
- Dial up the energy. To come across well online, you need to ‘perform’. Practise speaking louder and with more expression than you would face to face and use hand gestures.
Go easy on yourself
Plan, prepare and practise. If you make this your mantra, you’ll give yourself the best chance to shine. And once it’s over, plan in your reward. Take the day off, treat yourself, and relax.
Whatever the outcome, you’ll have done yourself proud. Good luck – we know you’ll ace it!