Top Tips: INTERVIEWING
- Prison Help!
- Nov 24, 2015
- 5 min read
Interviews can be a pretty daunting task, even when you are doing them regularly – Can you ever be fully prepared? Even when attending three or four a week you can’t be sure you are a dab hand. Even worse the dread of going to your first interview in years! Hopefully these tips will have you feeling calm, confident and secure in your ability to sell yourself!
Honestly, we don’t know what will happen or when. You could be accepted for a job, then another you wanted more offers you the role 3 months down the line. You may have to make tough choices. And so will the interviewers – even if they do fob you off with vaguely worded emails. But you will get through it; and by not getting too attached to one role, you will be able to move on to the next interview slightly quicker! Although multiple interviews are not hoped for, they will get easier and you will get better!
Be prepared There is no doubt that you need to research the company properly, but make sure you remember the key facts under pressure. On the other hand – what is the use of knowing all of their company statistics for a job in the art department? Focus on details that are key to your role and the business’ standing in the industry. Example: I recently attended an interview at a London gallery, for a role within the social media team. When asked if I had seen their Facebook page, I realised I had failed miserably and had to say no. I had gotten so wrapped up with researching their inner workings, governance and funding, I had neglected to research for the ROLE. Do not do this. You will not get the job! It’s also important to prepare your journey. Nobody likes being late, especially to something this important. Do a trial run of your journey or make sure that you leave plenty of time to spare before you have to be there. It’s better to be too early and have to go for a coffee beforehand. Just don’t forget the breath mints!
Remember your manners This may seem obvious but you’d be surprised how many people can completely forget their P’s and Q’s. Swearing is a no-no, of course. Manners cost nothing, so at the end, remember to ask them for a business card and follow it up by sending a “thank-you” e-mail or letter; let them know that you enjoyed meeting them and how interested you are in the role
Be confident, not cocky! Coming across as arrogant can be more detrimental to your appearance than a dodgy suit. Let the employer know that you are able to do the things they need you to without bragging. However, DO upsell. If you think you have a relevant anecdote to demonstrate a skill, tell it!
Just breathe Slow and steady – don’t rush your speech! Speed talking is not going to get your point across – that is unless you’re interviewing to be an auctioneer. Let the interviewer know what you have done in simple sentences. Remember that they may want to ask you questions about it, so give them a chance to with a pause! Feeling anxious about an interview is awful, but letting it get in the way is worse.
Be careful of your body language As much as what you’re saying is the most important part of the interview, the way you hold yourself and how you sit also say something about you. My mother always told me “It is not what you say, but how you say it.” And that’s never truer than in this circumstance. Sit up straight, make and keep eye contact, use your hands and lean forward – this shows that you’re listening and engaged. Crossed arms and leaning away can come across as hostile and aggressive. Remember that it’s what you don’t say that counts!
Let’s be honest… Now is not the time to be hiding gaps in your employment. Anything on the serious side, they will find out when they run checks pre-contract signing, so there’s no point hiding it. All skeletons fall out of the closet eventually; it’s better that they find out from you up-front than further down the line, when your probationary review is coming up and you have been talking a bit too much to the friendly colleagues by the water cooler!
Be positive We’d love to tell you you’ll land a job after your first interview – but it’s just not something anybody can predict. Positivity is a great thing – make sure you come across that way in the interview. Optimism and positivity are essential and highly sought after.
Don’t put all your eggs in this basket On the other hand, there is nothing worse than the crushing disappointment of being turned down for a job you have pinned all your hopes on. Sure, you would be great at it, a real team player with so many skills and ideas. But what if they tell you there is someone better out there. Do we know who? No, of course not. Will they tell you why? No, of course not! But it doesn’t matter. Onwards and upwards! There are going to be others, and you never know – it may be fate working its mysterious hand, knowing that the perfect job is just around the corner.
Be yourself If we are being ourselves when meeting other people, we will come across as relaxed, authentic and confident. Try to use the language you usually use, enjoy the interview and be proud of your achievements – you’re already on the shortlist so they must think pretty highly of you already.
Ask for feedback This is so important! If you’ve not been offered the job you’ll be able to improve your interviewing technique for the next time. If you do get the job, then it’s obviously less important, but it’d still be nice to know what you did right! Although you have a job for now, you might not be in it forever and would obviously like to give another good interview in a few years. If you didn’t get the role but have been given some excellent feedback, then apply this to your next interview!
Prison Help! is owned and operated by UK Social Support and Careers Limited. It is a social enterprise founded in 2015 by Steve Newell, Managing Director.. It has a highly experienced management team that aims to deliver realistic and reliable services to all levels of UK business. Our parent company – UK Social Support & Careers (UKSSAC) – supports all aspects of training, development and ongoing support for people returning to work following unemployment. It is also a one-stop solutions provider to corporate businesses on Corporate Social Responsibility, employee readiness training, workforce development and specialist professional prison consultancy services.
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