How to Prepare for a Job Interview

Clients frequently  come to me wanting help to prepare for a job interview.

Simple steps to help you prepare for a job interview

  • On receiving confirmation that you have been selected for interview, confirm your attendance, preferably in writing.
  • If you have any questions about the interview, contact the organisation. This will go in your favour as it will show that you are really interested.
  • Then start doing your preparation.

What does this involve?

  • Thoroughly read through your cover letter, CV / application form, the job advertisement, job description and person specification so that you know exactly what the job involves.
  • Research the organisation thoroughly. Look at their website, look the organisation up on Companies House, to check their financial status. Check to see if  they are featured in the business section of newspapers.
  • Think about possible interview questions and answers you will give with examples and write them down.
  • Think about the skills you can offer the organisation
  • Then practice with a family member or friend. This will give you confidence. You can also do this in front of a mirror. The key is speaking out loud.

Employers are also interested in you as a person, so mention anything you do to show your all-around personal development, such as hobbies, volunteering or sports.

  • Also consider what questions you want to ask them.

Interviews are now being delivered either in person or online and you need to prepare accordingly.

Finally, an interview is a two-way process

The company is seeing whether you are suitable for the position and you are also deciding whether this is the right organisation for you.

How can we help you succeed at interview?

Stirling Careers Consultancy provides 1 to 1 coaching to help you ensure you are fully prepared for your interview.

We offer a two-hour coaching session.  (This can be either be 2 times 1hr sessions or one 2-hour session).

  • The first hour is to discuss the interview and possible questions
  • The second hour is role play for the interview.

Stirling Careers Consultancy can help you with your interview preparation.

For an initial free telephone consultation, please phone Alistair Stirling on

0790 461 4946 or e-mail  info@stirlingcareersconsultancy.co.uk

We look forward to hearing from you.

Bromley Careers Consultant Alistair Stirling offering careers advice in & around Kent, London

Alistair Stirling is a registered careers adviser with over 20 years’ experience of supporting people back into employment.

Your employees may need some help and support to understand the contemporary job market.

All the research suggests that people who are helped and supported are more likely to make a successful transition to their next destination. Bringing in outside help frees up Human Resources time and energy and shows the organisation is trying to help staff. It can also be a motivating factor for those ‘surviving’ a change management programme.  For employees being involved in a restructure or being made redundant can be a very stressful period. Being able to talk to an independent and impartial careers professional helps to allay some of their fears and also allows employees to understand how the contemporary job market works. It also enables them to plan their future career direction.

Stirling Careers Consultancy

Stirling Careers Consultancy has worked with organisations which have had to restructure and to help staff reapply for their jobs in the new structure. Most staff had been at the organisation for number of years and they were unsure of the contemporary job market.

During the restructure staff had to reapply for their jobs and Stirling Careers Consultancy helped them with their applications for their new roles. Stirling Careers Consultancy helped them with their Curriculum Vitaes (CV) and interview techniques.

Sometimes it can be harder going for an internal vacancy than an external vacancy. Never assume the organisation / interview panel fully understand your current role. Also, they may not know what your full range of abilities and skills are so you need to sell yourself to the panel in the most effective way.

Top Tips on Curriculum Vitaes (CV) and Covering Letter / Email

Get the basics right (i.e., no spelling mistakes, grammar and punctuation mistakes)

Stick to two pages of no more than A4 size

Ensure the CV relates to role the you are applying for

Include a covering letter / Email addresses essential criteria highlighting skills and job roles relevant to the post you are applying for

Presentation Size 12 Font

Make sure your skills, achievement stand out and our relevant to the role you are applying for

Top Tips on Interview Techniques

Accept invitation for interview and understand interview format and process

Re: Read through your notes, covering letter and CV or application form

Research as much as possible about the reorganisation and more importantly think about how you fit into it and what you can contribute to the new structure

Research and anticipate possible questions and practice with a careers professional, family member or friend

A simple technique for answering questions is:

  • Listen to the question
  • Give examples
  • Stick to the point and do not waffle

Stirling Careers Consultancy will work with the organisation to put together a tailored programme of support for your employees.

Bromley Careers Consultant Alistair Stirling offering careers advice in & around Kent, London

Alistair Stirling is a registered careers adviser with over 20 years’ experience of supporting people back into employment.

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