It doesn’t take long for a prospective employer to make a decision about an interviewee. Studies suggest employers come to a conclusion about interviewees within the first minute of setting eyes on a candidate. So how can you boost your chances for interview success?  Here are our top 5 interview tips for professionals…

1.Do your homework

It’s one of the biggest mistakes unsuccessful candidates make at interview: they simply haven’t done enough research into the company they are applying to join. The interviewer is looking for reasons to hire you, so try to find out what their current challenges are. Think about how you might present this knowledge during the interview.

2. Think who, what, where

If you know who is going to interview you and what the format of the interview is, you can minimise any nerves. When applying for a job through a recruiter, make sure you ask questions to find out as much information as you can beforehand. Allow plenty of time at the beginning and end of your interview slot. We have examples of 2.5 hour interviews, so make sure your diary is free and focused on the task at hand!

3. Plan your answers 

Revisit your CV and know it fluently. This is what your interviewer will be asking questions from. Review the job spec and note the competencies the company will be looking for. Think about projects you’ve been involved in or jobs you’ve had that offer strong examples for you to talk about. You’ll want to use relevant examples wherever possible that the interviewer will recognise as something they need done.

4. Know what you want

Your interviewer will want to know what your expectations of a role are so they can be sure they’ve found the right person. Consider salary expectations, hours and company culture and be prepared to ask questions. It’s a two-way process but you also need to pick your moment. The interviewer should open up the conversation to questions so you need to be ready.

5. Leave a lasting impression

Most professionals have been to enough interviews in their lifetime to know that good appearance is essential, as well as lots of eye contact and a relaxed demeanor. Try to smile and use open body language. End the interview on a positive note and say that you look forward to hearing from them.

These are our top 5 interview tips, don’t forget to read our more extensive interview guide with more information to help you succeed.

If you’re looking for a new challenge and can’t wait to get in front of a prospective employer, why not get in touch with us. Our flexible and professional recruitment company works with hundreds of employers to match talented individuals with their perfect career role.