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Job interview checklist

A few days before the interview:

• Plan what you are going to wear and make sure it is washed and ironed.
• Make sure you know exactly where you are going and, if you’re unsure, do a ‘dummy’ run beforehand. Check bus and train times if you are using public transport.
• Think about questions you’re likely to be asked and what you plan to say in response.
• Do some background research about the organisation – their website is a good place to start.
• Have your exam certificates ready in case the employer wants to see them.
• If you cannot make the interview, make sure you ring and cancel, rather than simply not turning up.If you feel nervous, ask your Personal Adviser to run through a mock interview with you.

At the interview:

• Dress sensibly
• Arrive in plenty of time
• Smile, even if you are nervous
• Be courteous and polite
• Don’t slouch when seated and don’t fidget
• Answer questions in detail, but don’t waffle
• Speak clearly and don’t mumble
• Make eye contact with the person speaking to you
• Back up claims you make with examples and evidence
• Ask questions yourself and use the interview to find out more about the organisation
• Have your progress file ready and ask the interviewer if they’d like to see it
• Tell the truth
• Turn off your mobile phone

After the interview: 

• If you get the job, tell your Personal Adviser so that they can update your records. Oh, and well done!
• If you don’t get the job, ask for feedback about why and what you could have done differently. Use this information when you go for your next interview.
• Don’t wait to hear the result of your interview before applying for other things. Keep applying until you have a firm offer of employment.  

Telephone interviews

Sometimes a job advert will ask you to ring a potential employer to ask for further details. In some cases the employer will interview candidates over the phone to find out a bit more about them.

If this happens, remember the following:

• Telephone from somewhere quiet so that the person taking your call can hear what you’re saying
• Plan what you are going to say before the phone is answered
• Be polite throughout the conversation
• Keep a pen and paper handy in case you need to write anything down
• Speak clearly and don’t mumble
• If an employer wants to call you back, make sure you’re available at the time arranged
• Treat a phone interview just like you would a face-to-face interview – think about what you are going to say beforehand and keep calm

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