Starting your job search

So, your CV was great and with the help of your specialist recruiter, it was put in front of the hiring manager and landed you an interview! Well done but this is only just the beginning.

Once you have been informed of the interview and received all of the details, it is time to prepare. There are a few different ways to interview and these are face to face (generally in their office), video call or a phone call.

First off, research the company! It will show you are interested in the position, give the interview some context and help you to ask any questions about the role.

Pre-plan your route to the interview, if it is online (Skype, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, etc) – try using the software prior to the day so you know how to use it or if it is via phone, find somewhere that has good signal and limited background noise. Punctuality goes a long way as far as first impressions go, so remember to be 5-10 minutes early or if you notice you are running late, call them, apologise and let them know what time you will arrive.

Dress to impress. Regardless of whether you are interviewing online or not, dress in smart casual attire or workwear that is relevant to your profession. For example, if you were applying for a job as a forklift driver in a warehouse, they may ask you to perform some tasks which is where wearing your steel caps and hi vis would come in handy. Not only will it make you look the part, but you will also feel the part – confidence is key!

Prepare yourself to answer questions like:

  • What are your career goals?
  • What are your strengths?
  • Do you have any weaknesses? What are they?
  • Can you tell me about a time when …?
  • How would you describe yourself?

Depending on the person interviewing, the interview has the potential to contain personal questions regarding hobbies, your 5-year plan and maybe even your pets. Alternatively, they may only be concerned about your technical skills and experience – at the end of the day, you need to be prepared for both scenarios.

Ask questions if you have any regarding the company and the role. If not, ask what the next step is, how many people are interviewing for the position and when you can expect to hear from them. Some companies conduct 2-3 interviews so it’s good to know the process and prepare yourself further should you need to.

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