Interview Do’s and Don’ts
Do not go to an interview without preparing
On the day
Dress Code
When considering your interview attire, choose something that aligns with the company's culture. If you have any doubts, dress on the smarter side than more casually. Being overdressed can be perceived as wanting to create a professional appearance, whereas there is no excuse for being under-dressed.
Virtual Interview
It's crucial to test your equipment and internet connection beforehand. Make sure you are in a well lit spot, minimising distractions and background noise. While interviewers might understand unexpected interruptions, they can still cause personal distraction and disrupt your flow,
Face-to-Face Interview
If the interview is in person and you need to commute, leave plenty of time to allow for delays and make sure you plan your route. There is no excuse for arriving late to an interview - punctuality is important and arriving late will create a negative impression.
Interview Do's
- Make sure your phone is on silent.
- Shake the interviewer’s hand firmly and thank them for meeting with you.
- Remember to maintain eye contact, sit forward, poor posture is a turn off, smile.
- Today is about developing rapport and showcasing your skills.
- Listen to the questions, if you don’t understand ask for clarify
- Always look to answer the question succinctly
- Have an Agenda - ask thoughtful questions: Ask questions about the company, team, and role that will give you a better understanding of the environment, the team and expectations of the role. This demonstrates your genuine interest and initiative as well as gives you more information to make an informed decision on whether it is the right career opportunity for you.
Say goodbye, shake hands
Interview Don’ts
- Lack of Preparation: Don't appear unprepared for the interview. Failing to research the company, not knowing the details on your own CV or not having a clear understanding of the role can convey a lack of genuine interest, organisational skills and commitment.
- Talking Too Much - don't dominate the conversation with long, woolly answers that take up too much time to make a simple point. Find a balance in your answers, providing enough information to showcase your qualifications without overwhelming the interviewer or taking too much time out of the meeting. If you are uncertain about the level of detail, simply ask “would you like me to expand on that and go into more detail” giving the interviewer the option to
- Talk too Little!
- Negative Comments About Past Employers: Don't speak negatively about previous employers, managers or colleagues. Maintain a positive tone and focus on what you've learned from your experiences, even if they were challenging.
- Be honest about your knowledge and experience, if you don’t know something say that, but offer an idea, it shows many skills from thinking on your feet to lateral thinking
- Using Inappropriate Language: Don't use inappropriate language or slang during the interview. Maintain a professional tone at all times. This includes avoiding overly casual language, even if the interview atmosphere is relaxed.
