Careers Tool-Box

The Careers Tool-Box is designed to equip you with skills and techniques to get the most out of your career

10 Golden Interview Rules

1. Turn up. If you can't go to the interview for any reason, call the interviewer to apologise and explain so that they can give your slot to someone else. 
    
2. Be on time. Not 30 minutes early, not five minutes late. ON TIME. If you are unsure where you are meant to be going, do a trial run a few days before. If you get there very early on the day, go to a coffee shop and hang around until it is time for the interview. If you turn up early, the interviewer will feel under pressure to interview you then, when they may have other things to do. If you are late, you are wasting their time. Being late says "my time is more important than yours". Not a great start.
    
3. Dress smartly. If you don't have a suit, buy one or borrow one. Polish your shoes. Have brushed hair and pay attention to your personal hygiene.
    
4. Take a copy of your CV, along with anything else you have been asked to take - a portfolio of work for example.
    
5. Do your research. Make sure you know what the company does. Find out as much as you can about the person interviewing you too.
    
6. Read the job spec (assuming you have one) and the job advert, carefully. These will give you an idea of the questions you will be asked. If the job spec says that one of the requirements of this job is "a good eye for detail" they may ask you to give an example of when you have demonstrated that skill. 
    
7. Practise your handshake. A wet fish in your hand is not nice. Likewise, don't try and crush your interviewer's hand. Firm, but not bone-breaking, is best.
    
8. Be interested. Don't stare out of the window when they are talking to you, or pick your nose, or stare at your shoes.
    
9. Be prepared to ask questions. At the end of the interview you will probably be asked if you have any questions. They may have already covered everything you need to know, but it's best to have something to ask. Good questions include asking about their training opportunities, what the next stage in the interview process is likely to be, or when you are likely to hear from them.
    
10. Remember that an interview is a two-way process. It is your opportunity to decide if you want to work for the company, just as much as it is their opportunity to find out if they would like to hire you.