Interview Advice

Plan for the interview

Find out what the interview will involve to make sure you're prepared.

If you have a disability, all employers must make reasonable adjustments for you to have an interview. If you need the employer to make particular arrangements - for example, to help you get into the building - contact them before your interview. This is to make sure they can make these arrangements.

You should think about who will be interviewing you. If it is the person who would be your manager if you got the job, the interview may be more detailed. If it’s the personnel manager, the interview may be less detailed but could still be as testing. Find out how many people will be interviewing you and their positions in the company. This will help you prepare for the kinds of questions they may ask.

Finding out how long the interview is likely to last will give you an idea of how detailed the interview will be. You should also find out if you will have to take a test or make a presentation.

Plan your journey

Consider travelling to the company the day before the interview to check how long the journey will take. If necessary, ask the employer for directions, bus routes or details of where you can park your car. You should plan another way of getting there in case something unexpected happens (such as your car breaking down, or your train being cancelled). If you have a disability, let the employer know so they can make any special arrangements.

Most interviews have a lead-in time of introductions and settling in, questions from the interviewer/panel, and then a chance for the interviewee to ask questions.

• Speak clearly and vary the tone to show you are interested and enthusiastic.
• Give yourself time to think about each question. Pause before answering so that you can think about the best response, and make sure you're giving them the information they need.
• Listen to questions carefully and let the interviewer lead the conversation. If you do not understand a question, ask for it to be explained or repeated.
• Be diplomatic and discreet, particularly about previous employers or co-workers. Don't badmouth anybody.
• Speak from experience - give examples that can demonstrate what knowledge and skills you have, and what you have learned in the past.
• Be positive about the skills you have and what you have done. Don't give the employer a chance to downgrade your abilities by saying things such as "I only have..." or "I don't have direct experience in that area". Instead, tell the employer what you do have or can offer.

You've Passed - the first test

Being invited to an interview means you've passed the first test - your application must have made a good impression. Now you need to prepare yourself for the interview to make sure you are successful at this stage.