7 Tips to Nail Your First Interview

We’ve all been there, you’ve gone through an amazing recruiter (probably us) and landed yourself an interview with a really great looking organisation… but now you’ve got to showcase your talents and sell yourself. So how do you do it? Never fear! Here’s 7 super interview tips to help you nail that first job interview.

1.Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

It might seem simple, but more often than not people don’t prepare enough or prepare incorrectly for their job interviews and miss out on key ways to impress your interviewers. There’s no such thing as overpreparing, so what should that preparation entail?

We suggest you familiarise yourself with the job description as much as possible, show you’re capable of discussing the position and requirements in detail. Remember key skills they’re looking for and have specific examples ready to illustrate your knowledge and experience in those areas.

Familiarise yourself with your own CV, be aware your interviewer may not have read it in great detail, so it’s handy to refresh their memory, it will also help your chances if you ensure what you’ve written on your CV matches what you say in your interview.

Dressing for success has been proven to give you that extra confidence boost which is always useful in interviews. Even on video calls, not only will it avoid any embarrassing moments where your pyjama bottoms are on show, but it gets you in the best frame of mind. We know it can be tricky to showcase body language and maintain eye contact on video calls, but there are a couple of things you can do to improve the impression you make. Take the time to set up your camera and ensure you’re fully facing the screen at a good angle, there’s nothing in the frame you wouldn’t want to be seen and ensure there won’t be any distractions.

2. Know the Company

On top of all the preparation for yourself, part of that includes knowing the company you’re interviewing for. Common questions at the start of an interview are “Can you tell us what you know about XYZ” Not only does it show you’re preparedness, it shows you actually care and are interested in the role you’re applying for and can only put you in a good light. Check the website, review their LinkedIn, do a Google search for any recent news, you can’t have too much information.

If you struggle with memory on the spot, consider writing down notes for anything tricky to remember, not only does it physically help you remember, it’s super useful to have some notes next to you for reference (especially on video calls) just be careful not to sit reading off a sheet in your interview, try to remember it’s a conversation not an exam!

3. Research is Key

We might sound like a broken record, but it really is. A couple of ways you can go the extra mile and showcase your preparedness is you can first (if applicable) try out the companies product or service. Not only does it give you some extra insight on what the company does/sells, it adds an extra piece of information to discuss and shows you’re really interested!

Secondly, you can learn about your interviewers (not in a creepy way) Take a look at their LinkedIn profiles, see how long they’ve worked there, it can be a useful way of allowing you to prep some specific questions relating to them, whether it’s work related or common professional interests, again it shows you’re keen!

4. Listening

Unfortunately you might not know the answer to every single question you’re asked, so asking clarifying questions shows that you’re paying attention and helps avoid the embarrassment of a misunderstanding. Remember the interview is also a conversation. Keep in mind that employers may be trying to sell you on the company as much as you are trying to sell them on you. Listening for important information will allow you to refer to the information in later answers, ask good follow-up questions, and decide whether it is the right position for you. Don’t forget, you don’t just want out of your current job and into a new job, you want a position that’s going to make you happy!

5. Show Interest, Not Desperation

It’s one thing to be keen and interested in a role, it’s another to be desperate and willing to take anything. You’re going to want to show sincere interest in the job you’re interviewing for whilst also proving you’re a good fit. If you don’t think the role is a good fit from what you’ve heard from your recruiter, don’t go for the interview! It’s a waste of time for everyone. We understand it’s difficult when you NEED a new job but remind yourself the best way to do well in an interview is to be genuine, honest and fully interested.

The interviewer wants to hire the best candidate that is interested in their company and role, not the one that’s desperate to find anything and then may end up ultimately unhappy. You want to showcase your skills, qualifications and experience that matches the position you’re applying for. This is what the interviewer is looking for, no matter how much you need the role, showcasing your absolute need for a role just creates an uncomfortable situation and might indicate dishonesty. Show your confidence, be cool and calm and it will pay off.

6. Show Gratitude

Whilst you’ve probably made an awesome impression throughout the interview, leaving a lasting one can help stick you in the interviewers minds.

End your interview on a high note, you want to stand out from the other candidates and showcase your personality as much as your skills. Simple gestures like smiling, saying thank you for their time and reiterating your interest in the role and the company can go a long way! If it’s appropriate, you can even take the time to send a thank you email or pass on your thanks through your recruiter. Every little helps!

7. Give Yourself a Break!

Remember, it’s just an interview. The people interviewing you will have been in the exact same situation and will want you to be comfortable. Take a bit of extra time to pack your bag, plan your route (if it’s face to face) just to avoid any extra stresses on the day. You want to be early, so planning for traffic or parking can just help give you that extra peace of mind. You’ve done amazingly well to get the interview and they want to meet you so be proud and talk your self up! You’ve got this!

Our team at V7 are always on hand for any tips and advice you need and will be with you every step of the way. If you need some extra guidance, download our 7 interview tips here and have these with you ready for your next interview!