Applying for a new job may seem like a lot of work, but it is only the beginning of your effort in landing a position. The real work comes after your prospective employer has glanced over your CV and decided you are worthy of an interview. Job interviews in London, and throughout the UK, are the most important step in the process of a job search. Your CV will never get you hired on its own. It is just a tool to catch the attention of the HR department and get you an appointment for an interview.
Job Interviews are a Mutual Meetings
A job interview is not simply a meeting in which a company asks you a lot of questions to assess whether you are worthy to work them. Job interviews are also your chance to find out if the company is one where you would like to work. Ideally, a job interview should be more of a give-and-take conversation instead of a question-and-answer session. Preparing for the interview is essential if you want it go well. Following are some of the ways that you can prepare.
Practise Questions
A little online research will reveal some of the most commonly asked questions at job interviews. Find a good list, and practise answering each of the questions. At first, put your answers in writing. Then, practise speaking your answers aloud, and commit them to memory. This exercise will make you much more comfortable during the interview. Even if a question is asked that was not on the list, chances are that you will be able to pull information from your other answers to cover the surprise question.
Conduct Research
Before the interview, research the company. Learn the company’s history, vision and mission. This information is usually available on the company’s website. Think of a couple of questions you can ask about the company to keep the conversation flowing during the interview. Most interviewers do not like to see hesitation on the part of their prospective employees. You can be direct and avoid awkward pauses by arming yourself with knowledge and relevant questions about the company.
Present Yourself
First impressions are very important at job interviews, and the first aspect about yourself to be noticed is your appearance. You should dress professionally even if it appears that current employees dress more casually. You should also avoid any accessories that may be considered flashy, gaudy or distracting. Keep it simple.
Relaxed Focus
These two terms may seem contradictory, but it is possible to be both focused and relaxed at the same time. A lot of your relaxed attitude will come from being prepared for the interview. If you have prepared sufficiently, you should feel confident. Once you have your confidence, you can relax a little. Give yourself some free time so you don’t obsess over the interview. If you start to obsess, you may become nervous and lose your focus. During the interview, focus on the interviewer and his or her questions, but be relaxed and sure of your answers.
Finally, it should be understood that not all is lost should you passed over for the job. Each interview is added experience for the next. Analyse how it went and how you can improve for the next time.