They say we have two seconds to make a first impression, good, bad or indifferent. A job interview is all about making a great impression, from how you dress, to how you speak, the answers you give and your body language.

We are here to provide you with the tools and tips you need, to ensure you feel confident and are best prepared for your job interview.

 Learn about the company

Spend time prior to your interview researching and learning about the company. A common interview question is ‘Tell us what you know about our company’, so you should have a clear understanding of the industry, how long the company has existed, approximately how many offices and staff they have, what their main product or service offering are, and their competitors. 

It’s important to also understand the people, who works in the company and what their culture is like. Companies want to hire people with similar values to those of the company. You can find all this information on their website, social media pages and in particular, LinkedIn.

Plan and practice answers to questions about your experience and skills

Take time to draft answers to possible interview questions. Spend time getting confident in your answers and find ways to prompt yourself on how you would respond to questions such as:

• Tell us about yourself
• Tell me about your experience at XYZ company
• Why would you like to work for our company?
• Why do you want this role?
• What can you bring to the role?
• What are your greatest strengths?
• Why do you want to leave your current or previous role?
• How do you prioritise your tasks?

Be aware of your body language

Body language and other forms of nonverbal communication are vital to the way you perform in a role. These are the ways in which you hold yourself, your posture, how you place your hands and your facial expressions. It’s important to look enthusiastic during your interview, but also calm and relaxed.

You want to sit up straight and relax your shoulders. Maintaining good eye contact with the interviewer shows you are interested in being there. Using gentle hand gestures when speaking every now and then, can help you to appear relaxed and engaged. And lastly, remember to breathe and take your time.

How you present yourself

As they say, ‘Dress for the job you want’. A large part of making a good first impression is how you present yourself. Ensure you wear attire appropriate for the interview, for example, if you are attending an office environment, wear corporate attire. Planning ahead of time, and laying out your outfit prior to your interview can ensure you aren’t frazzled and rushing when it comes to interviewing time. If you are ever unsure of the dress code, always dress professionally.

Regardless if your interview is in-person or online, following these tips will ensure you feel prepared and ready.