It is extremely important to be as prepared as you can be for an interview, enabling you to make the best possible impression. You need to come across as being equipped and interested in the role and knowledgeable about the company, their values, culture and the people they employ.

Preparation for the interview

It is essential to research the organisation and find out what they do – what products and/or services that they offer.

Make sure you read up on their latest news including any awards, accolades or recent developments in the business

Research the companies history and find out when they were established and how they have grown.

If the company website isn’t very informative, take a direct approach and phone the company to ask if they can email or send you any company literature or answer any questions you have.

If they haven’t got a website, take a look at other online profiles they may have, such as LinkedIn, Facebook or Google+. LinkedIn company profiles can give some useful information about employees and what roles they do within the organisation.

It is advisable to prepare some questions to ask the interviewer, to show that you have thought about the company, position and the environment in which you will be working.

Attending the interview

Once you have done your research into the company and its culture, it is important that you make a good impression on arrival for your interview. You rarely get a second chance to make a first impression so it is vital that you get it right first time.

Make sure you have planned your journey in advance and know how long it will take you to get there.

Check if there is parking onsite or a security procedure to go through that is going to add extra time to your travel. It is a good idea to have the interviewer’s telephone number so you can notify them if you are delayed.

Make sure you are familiar with your own CV and ensure you can talk confidently about your skills, experience and achievements to date, particularly those which are relevant to the position you have applied for.

Ask your Recruitment Consultant what the client’s dress code is. For office based work, smart business attire is a must. Above all, ensure you are clean, tidy and not wearing too much perfume, aftershave or makeup.

If you’d like to know more about preparing for an interview or if you’d like to ask one of our advisors for more advice, contact your local branch now.

What shall I ask at an interview?

Most recruiters will ask if you have any questions during or at the end of an interview and you should have these prepared. The aim is to ask a couple of good questions, which show you have been paying attention during your interview and also that you have given thought to researching the company and the specific job you are applying for. Just saying that you have no questions is a bad response and may be frustrating for the interviewer(s).

Here are some good examples of the questions you should ask:

What is the company culture like? This will give the interviewer a good opportunity to establish if you are a cultural fit for the company, but also help you decide if you want to work for them.

How are employees recognised for their achievements? This will help you be sure that your potential new employer recognises its employees and that the company values morale.

What will I most like about working for the company? This will provide insight into whether you’d be happy working with the company or with this individual. If their answer excites you, it can further reinforce your decision that it will be a good place for you to work. If not, the response may give you something to think about before deciding to invest in a future there.

What would be expected of me in the first month, two months or three months of employment if I were successfully appointed? This shows you are thinking ahead to what value you can add to the company and not just what the company can do for you.

Here are some examples questions you should avoid:

What is the salary and are there any benefits? This should only come into play once an offer has been made. This also applies to sick pay and holiday days, or how often reviews occur. It is best to avoid any question that sounds like you assume you already have the position, unless, of course, your interviewer brings up the subject first.

Questions that start with “Why…?” – these kinds of questions can sound confrontational and often put people on the defensive. A better way of asking, for example, “Why did the company lay off people last year?” would be “I read about the layoffs you had last year… What is your opinion on how the company is positioned for the future?”

Who are your competitors? Whilst it shows you are giving thought to the industry as a whole, it could reveal that you have not done enough research about the company prior to the interview.

Is there any flexibility in my working week? Even if it is clear that you are looking for a flexible working arrangement to accommodate a legitimate concern, it could be seen that you are insinuating that you are concerned about work-life balance and may indicate to the potential employer that you are more concerned about your needs and less concerned about the company’s.

What is your social networking policy? While social media is vital in today’s culture, some employers are still cautious about reports of misuse of the internet and social media by workers costing the economy billions of pounds every year. Questions about whether social networking usage is monitored may ring alarm bells that you might frequently visit sites during working hours and asking if profiles are monitored may give the impression you are have something to hide.

To learn about other questions to ask in an interview, speak to our specialist recruiters by contacting your local branch.