Advice from a Talent Acquisition Specialist

Be prepared! It would be safe to say that I am not the first person to highlight that preparing for an interview is key, but I cannot stress enough just how important it is...

For many people the interview can be the most daunting part of the job seeking process. Some people may put off and avoid preparing as they might not know where to start, hope that they will just be able to wing it on the day or that it will be a chat as opposed to a formal interview.

However, if you do not prepare for an interview it is very obvious to the interviewer. Regardless of the interview being formal, competency based or even just a chat – the interviewer is considering you as a potential future employee and is probing you on certain things. This is the first thing to note when preparing – don’t presume it will be just a chat.

Preparing for an interview can raise your confidence and improve your performance. If you are aware of what to expect and what is expected of you it will allow you to know what cover. Ensure to ask the recruiter or interviewer questions. I would suggest, in order to make the right impression, know the details of the job description, know your CV inside out and research the company.

A great method is to read the job description in detail and highlight on the job description any skills, experience or duties that match your own experience. This is a good starting point to be able to relate to the job spec in your interview and write down key examples that you would like to portray. It also allows you to prepare for competency based questions and answer with the STAR technique. Once you have these answers prepared ensure to practice your interview answers out loud.

It may take some time, but preparing and researching properly will help you put your best foot forward and make a great first impression.

In Morgan McKinley we have dedicated Talent Acquisition Specialists that are here to assist you throughout our interview process. Never hesitate to reach out to myself and ask as many questions as you like along the way.