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As the old saying goes, fail to prepare and prepare to fail.
That has never been more true than when it comes to interviewing for a vacancy.
Recruiters will spot someone who has not prepared a mile away and it immediately lessens your chances of being offered a second interview or a job.
Below are some top tips to help you go into an interview with confidence and with the best chance of securing your next career move.
Do your research
If you have applied for a job then you will know which company you are interviewing with – but how much do you really know about that company?
Interviewers like to see candidates who understand what the business does, what it is trying to achieve and what its values are. Be sure to check out the company's website to gather as much information as possible.
Plan your journey
Candidates who show up late to an interview are an immediate red flag. Arriving promptly for your interview is vital so give yourself the best possible chance by planning ahead.
Make sure you know where the interview location is and plan your route of how you will get there. You should aim to arrive roughly 10-15 minutes before the start of your interview.
Of course, sometimes unforeseen incidents like train cancellations or heavy traffic do happen. If so, contact the interviewer as soon as it is safe to do so and inform them that you are running behind schedule.
Take copies of your CV
If you have been offered an interview then it's highly likely that the interviewer has seen your CV already. That said, there is no harm in taking a spare copy as it portrays you as an organised individual – that's a key trait that many recruiters will be looking for.
Dress to impress
Your interview is a chance for you to impress a recruiter and convince them you are the best person to fill a vacancy.
The way you dress will determine how seriously you are considered as a candidate for the role. First impressions count, so a candidate dressed in a suit and tie will make a much better impression than one in a tracksuit and trainers.
You can certainly under-dress for an interview, which reflects badly on you, but there is really no such thing as over-dressing. If you arrive at an interview and notice you're the only person dressed smartly then do not worry – you have done the right thing.
The smarter you appear, the more likely you are to be considered for the role.
Ask killer questions
Most candidates spend so much time preparing how they are going to answer questions which come their way that they forget to prepare any questions themselves.
True, an interview is a chance for the recruiter to get to know you, but it is also a chance for you to get to know the recruiter.
Be sure to ask about the company's culture, what the dynamics of the team are and how the business is performing. If you really want to impress the interviewer, ask how long they have worked for the company and why they have found the company to be an attractive place to work.
Lastly, if you are switching jobs, consider why you are leaving your current role and ask questions to ensure you are not going to be faced with the same obstacles.