Interview Preparation

So, you’ve created a strong CV that’s generated interest from a potential employer. You’ve been invited for a meeting to communicate your strengths, skills and the experience you’ve evidenced on paper.  Now is the time to sell yourself!

You have between 30–90 minutes to convince the interviewers that you can fulfil a need within their organisation, add value to the business and will fit in well with other members of the team and with the organisational values.

As experienced recruitment consultants, we cannot emphasise strongly enough the need for preparation and practice.  All of us at Primary Source Legal have experienced many times the great disappointment of candidates who have all the skills and experience for the desirable role, but fail to communicate it clearly during an interview.

PREPARATION and PRACTICE are two vital components to having a successful interview that often get overlooked.

Our Senior Consultant and Career Coach, Sarah Claydon advises: “Building a good rapport early in an interview is vital. People often complain of just freezing or going blank during an interview.  Being well prepared is the key to feeling confident and relaxed whatever questions are thrown at you.”

Below are a few pointers in regards to Interview preparation but please bear in mind that you don’t have to do this alone. Do register with us and we’ll help you at every step of the way.

General Interview tips and advice

·         Research - before the interview find out everything you can about the company. Use the internet to its fullest and don’t forget to get in touch with any contacts you have within the company for inside information.

·         Re-read the application and your CV – take time to think through your career to date, future goals and any areas that may be probed at the interview.

·         First Impressions count - dress smartly and arrive early, be courteous to everyone you meet from the moment you arrive.  You never know who they might be.

·         Travel – if possible do a dry run sometime before the interview date to establish the best route, find out about parking, train or bus times.  On the day, leave home early and you’ll be more relaxed if you’re not rushed.

During the Interview

·         Building Rapport – it’s vital to establish a good rapport with the interviewers as early as possible.  Make eye contact with the person asking the questions and glance at the others while answering to be sure that you are connecting with each individual.

·        Body language – never underestimate the importance of body language.  It’s important to start well. Walk into the room tall, confident and give a firm, strong handshake. During the interview sit upright and slightly forward in your chair, nodding and smiling throughout shows you are interested and attentive.

·        Questions - answer any questions clearly and concisely giving relevant information and evidence to support your answer but DO NOT waffle. Aim to speak for no longer than 2-3 minutes at a time.  Avoid saying anything negative about your previous or current employer.  Prepare three of four pertinent questions from your research and aim to use two or three at the end of the interview.

·         Finish strong – no matter how you feel the interview went, aim to finish it the way you started- with energy and confidence.  You’ll never regret leaving a good impression.

 
Post interview

·         Giving feedback - contact your consultant as soon after the interview as possible to let them know your thoughts while the interview is still fresh in your mind.

·         Reflection - no matter what happens, an interview is an opportunity to learn. Take some time after the interview to ask yourself what you did right, what went well and how you could improve next time.

·         Getting feedback - if you have been unsuccessful, ask your consultant for some constructive feedback, where they think you fell down and how they think you could do better. Once you have received feedback you can modify your interview technique and improve for the next one.

To further improve your chances of success, we offer interview preparation coaching through our sister company SMART Edge Coaching. 

To find out more please contact Sarah on 01223 834101 or visit SMART Edge Coaching