It can be difficult not to be nervous when you know that the next hour or so could determine part of your future.
Something that will take the pressure off is making sure you’re prepared. If you have done your research, know your facts, and made sure you have a positive attitude before you go, you’re sure to impress your interviewer. And remember, whether you get the job or not, every interview you attend will help you be more prepared for the next one. Writer from London language school, The Language Gallery, Erin O’Neill, shares some top tips for impressing an interviewer.
Dress professionally
You want the interviewer to realise that you’re taking the process seriously. It can really pay off to look like you’ve made an effort. If the job is for a role in a corporate environment this is of even greater importance, there’s no excuse for turning up dressed too casually. Avoid things like trainers and jeans. Dressing the part will help you to feel more confident too!
Be mindful of language
Think carefully before you speak. You’ll want to appear as professional as possible, so be sure to avoid slang words or phrases. If you’re asked a question that you don’t know the answer to or are unsure of, try not to say things like ‘I don’t know’ or ‘maybe’. There are many English language courses that can help you gain confidence in your English skills. For example, you could take an English for law course to help you understand industry terms of the law world. You want to appear confident and sure of your answers.
Be enthusiastic
Make an extra effort to appear positive and enthusiastic. An employer won’t hire someone that they think could bring a negative presence to their organisation. Remember, in a job interview you want to present the best version of yourself that you can.
Research the company
Before the interview, visit the company website and take a look at what they’ve been working on. Are there any new projects they’ve taken part in, or charity work they have completed? Bringing up this kind of information will be far more impressive to a potential employer than just memorising their ‘about us’ page.
Ask questions
At the end of the interview, make sure you ask a question or two. It will indicate to the interviewer that you have a genuine interest in the position and the work they do. You could ask about career progression in the company, recent projects their team has worked on, or if they have any concerns about anything on your CV.
