Top tips for Interviews – A recruiter’s perspective

Got a job interview coming up? Want to make sure you impress? Clive Hutchings Group Director of STR shares his top tips on making the right first impression…

Match yourself to the company

Match the company you will be entering – I visited a games software provider recently and had I turned up in a shirt and tie and formal suit I wouldn’t have fitted in. The interviewer will not only be testing your skills, but also your fit into their work culture. Present yourself in the best way possible to fit in with their environment.

Do your research

You are certain to be asked questions specific to the company, research things such as last year’s profits, company size and latest product launches, so you can answer these questions with confidence. Spend time talking to your consultant about the role, they will know the client and their needs, get their advice on how best to approach the interview.

Arrive on time

After preparation, punctuality should never be underestimated. In many cases candidates who arrive late can find themselves top on the list of rejections. We all know in some cases lateness can’t be helped. If you find yourself in this situation ring up the interviewer as soon as you know you will be late, giving them a heads up is a lot better than turning up with no apology. Do try and plan your route before the big day to minimise any unwanted delays.

Relax

This might be easier said than done, as we all know interviews can be a scary experience. Remember to speak clearly and slowly, smile and stay calm – interviewers are normal people, they may be nervous too!

Ask questions

This is your opportunity to get to know the role and appear interested, have a list of questions prepared that you can ask at the interview to show you are serious.. Asking questions will help you assess your fit in the company, it’s not all up to the interviewer, you need to establish your fit in the company too!

Make it count!

Make your interview count; after all this could be your next big career move and you only get one proper crack at it! And finally, enjoy! If you follow these steps, you might find that the interview process is actually an enjoyable experience.