While interviews may seem daunting, preparing for them with this step-by-step checklist can make it feel so much easier and take a lot of the pressure off of your shoulders.
- Present yourself well
The first way to start an interview on a good foot is ensuring you present yourself well by looking clean, well maintained and professional. Hair should be clean and neat, clothes should be professional, clean and stain free. Moreover they should be modest, you don’t want to be revealing too much to the interviewer before you’ve even had a chance to open your mouth.
- Good set up
Given that most interviews are conducted over Microsoft teams, you should make sure you set up your laptop in a good space. Sitting on your bed with your blinds pulled is not the ideal interview set up. It would be preferable if you set up your camera in front of a plan background, somewhere quiet where you can hear the interviewer clearly.
- No distractions
It goes without saying that when you are in the middle of a job interview that there should not be any distractions. The last thing anyone wants in an interview is dogs barking or little kids walking in and interrupting your interview. At the end of the day it is a job interview and should be conducted professionally and respectfully, which also means the interviewer does not want to see your phone at any point or hear the real housewives playing in the background!
- Manners
Please be polite and have manners when conversing with your interview, they are a person as well and are doing their job so please say hello to them and ask how they are. Answer all their questions informatively and politely and at the end of the interview you should thank them for their time and wish them well for the rest of their day.
- Lighting
When setting up for an interview the lighting is crucial. If its too dark in the room you have set up in, the interview may struggle to see if you’re even there. However, if you are sat directly in front of a brightly lit window the sunlight may turn you into a big glowing orb where the interviewer also can’t see you! It’s important to be set up in a place that is well lit that you can be seen clearly and identified.
- Research
It’s important to conduct some research into the company and the job role before going for your interview as this is something you may be asked about. Knowing this background information leaves a great first impression on the interviewer as it shows you have taken the initiative to learn more. You can find out what kind of things to research in our blog post ‘Know your stuff’.
Remember to keep calm, take a deep breath and take your time to answer each question.
Good luck!