Interview tips

Be prepared

Do your research. Find out as much as you can about the company and its product, perhaps starting by checking out the company website. This should give you some ideas for questions to ask at the end of the interview.

What to wear to an interview

The easy answer is; the smartest thing in your wardrobe. Even in the creative industries where staff don’t necessarily wear a suit, you will still be expected to turn up smartly dressed.

A suit is the obvious choice for both men and women, and it’s best to opt for neutral tones rather than anything too flamboyant. It’s a good idea to get your hair cut regularly while looking for work, so you look neat and tidy if called for an interview without much notice.

Think about your body language too. A firm handshake gets things off to a good start, and make sure you nod, smile and look interested in what they are saying.

What to bring to an interview

Take all the relevant paperwork with you – your CV, certificates, examples of your work and any references.

It’s best to carry it in a large envelope or folder so that you can produce the documents easily if asked, without rummaging about at the bottom of your bag.

Great interview answers

The same questions crop up again and again in interviews and you would do well to prepare answers in advance, and think about ways you can work your career achievements into the conversation. Here are some of the most common:

Why are you applying for this job?

Tell us about a time you coped in a crisis

What’s your biggest strength?

What’s your biggest weakness?

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

Tell us about yourself

Great interview questions

What would a typical day involve?

What opportunities would there be for promotion?

What do you enjoy about working for this company?

Some interview do’s and don’ts

DON’T be late. Do a trial run of the journey in the week leading up to the interview, then make sure you add on some extra time in case of unexpected problems on the day.

DO tell the truth. Any good interviewer will spot a lie, and a cocky or boastful attitude will just put them off rather than impress.

DON’T tell too many jokes. Save that for the Christmas do - if you get the job!

DO keep calm. Take a moment to think before you speak

DON’T ask how you did. You can always ask for feedback at a later date if you didn’t get the job.