Over the years, I have interviewed countless people and seen the same mistakes repeated time and time again.
I want to share some advice, based on my experience, that will help to land your dream job!
Fail to prepare, prepare to fail
Before your interview, find out some background information about the company, such as how long have they been operating for and understand their marketplace. Also, check out their social media channels to see what they’ve been up to. An interviewer is almost guaranteed to ask what you know about them or if you understand what they do.
Dress to impress…
Make sure that your outfit choice reflects you and the type of role you are going for. If in doubt, contact the company beforehand to verify dress code. Low-cut dresses and short skirts may not make the best impression if you want to be taken seriously. Make sure the focus is kept on the right assets! I also advise wearing shoes you can comfortably walk in.
Know where you’re going!
If possible, visit the interview location in advance so you don’t get lost or risk arriving late. Always note down the address, the interviewer’s name and telephone number for anyone you have previously spoken to. If for any reason, you are running late, you can call to let them know in advance – interviewers understand things can happen but no one likes to be kept waiting when they have work to do!
Timing is everything
Arrive early to your interview, but don’t be too early! I recommend being there about 10 minutes beforehand. The benefit of this is that you can get a feel for the place and meet some of your potential future work colleagues. Smile and talk to them when it feels appropriate. I always ask colleagues what their impressions were of the person waiting to be interviewed.
One chance to make a first impression
When your interviewer comes to greet you, smile, be polite and maybe make some small talk – even if it’s complimenting the office or the décor, it can be a nice ice breaker. First impressions last and it’s crucial, particularly if you’re applying for a client-facing role, as you will be in this scenario regularly with the company’s clients.
Show your passion
During an interview, I want to see that candidates want to work with us and really enjoy what they do. They’ve passed the first stage of the faceless CV, now they’re in the bucket along with other people that match their skills and level of experience, so they need to stand out. Their personality needs to fit in with the team and the culture of the company. Personally, I prefer to hire people with passion and drive for what they do, over someone with years of experience but shows little interest in the role.
Confirm your understanding
I will always ask candidates to clarify things they have said on their CV. Always be honest and elaborate on yes/no answers, as you need to confirm you have the experience and knowledge required to handle any situation in the job. Don’t be shy to ask the interviewer to repeat or clarify questions.
And finally…
Don’t make disparaging remarks about previous colleagues or employers. It’s not professional and the chances are that the interviewer might know these people or have connections! Leave the baggage behind!
About the author
Kate Dalton has over ten years of experience working in the computer programming industry. As one of a handful of women who graduated with a BSc hons in Computing & Programming, she went on to work for companies including Northern Rock and Newcastle Building Society.
Kate was the first female to join her present employer, Oak (formerly Orchid Software) back in 2010 where she has recently taken on the role of Client Services Manager.