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Knowing how to prepare for an interview is an extremely important part of securing the job that you want. Having spent many hours researching the type of job and career you want to target actually getting an interview makes it all worthwhile.

It will be immediately obvious to the interviewer if you have not prepared for an interview. There are many different formats that the interview could take. The classic interview is based upon the interviewer explaining some of the background of a particular role, then the interviewee explains why they believe that they are the best candidate for the new job. Other formats made involve the job candidates creating and giving a presentation to a panel of interviewers that essential pick the best candidate. It is also not unusual (especially for permanent jobs) to have to attend more than one interview for a job.

The following checklist outlines our recommended approach to preparing for an interview:-

• Don’t wait until you hear back from a job application, start to prepare straight after you have submitted your job application. Job interviews can often be scheduled at very short notice.
• Research the company that you have applied to for a job. The internet is a good source of information about companies.
• Try and get a detailed copy of the job specification or at least the most detailed that you can from either the employers or the recruitment agency that you have applied through.
• Try and think of some tangible examples of where you can demonstrate what you have put in your CV.
• Think of some questions that you could ask during or at the end of an interview. These should be about the company and the specific job you are being interviewed for.
• Try and anticipate some of the questions that could be asked by the interviewer. These may include “what was the most successful thing that you have ever achieved in your previous jobs?” or “what has been the biggest challenge that you have ever faced in your previous jobs?”
• Bring prove of your qualifications and education with you. The chances are that you will not need them, but it is good to be prepared.
• Bring copies of your references with you and make sure that the people who may be contacted are prepared for a telephone call or letter asking them for a reference.
• Always go smartly dressed, clean shaven and look as though you could start work straight after the interview.

• Make sure that you know where the interview is located. Don’t wait to the morning of your interview to try and find where you need to go.   

How To Prepare For an Interview

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