Preparing for Interviews

Here are some simple suggestions for interview preparation:

Plan your journey and route to the interview location – be sure you know where you are going and how long it will take you to get there – always leave time to spare – plan to arrive ten minutes before the time of your interview
Prepare your clothes – first impressions count for a great deal. Wear the smartest clothes that you are comfortable in and that will be appropriate for the job you are going for.
Research the company/organisation – Find out what the company does, how many people does it employ, what is its annual turnover, who are its competitors etc – You can find out this information by contacting the company, asking friendsand family, using the reference library or trying the internet.
Re-read the advert and collect together any relevant paperwork or applications you may have sent to the prospective employer e.g. application form, covering letters, CV, any letters from the employer, copies of references.
Prepare answers to likely questions – many interviewers ask the same sorts of questions. Preparing for them means you can be more confident at interview.
Prepare basic questions to ask at the interview. These questions should be designed to help you decide if this is the job for you and also to show how much you know about the employer. For example:

What are your training opportunities?

How many people work for the company?

Why has this position become available?

How do you see this job developing in the future?

Never ask about pay and terms and conditions of employment.