{"id":8030,"date":"2020-11-12T09:48:27","date_gmt":"2020-11-12T09:48:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/careers\/?p=8030"},"modified":"2020-11-12T09:48:28","modified_gmt":"2020-11-12T09:48:28","slug":"preparing-for-an-interview","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/careers\/preparing-for-an-interview\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing for an Interview"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Fail to prepare? Prepare to fail. In these unprecedented times, it\u2019s even more important that you give yourself the time to properly prepare for interviews. Check out our guide to interview prep\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

In such unprecedented times, it’s important to get the basics done well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. READ BACK<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remember that application you wrote? Make sure you\u2019ve kept a copy of it. Read back through to familiarise yourself with it. It\u2019ll give you a confidence boost, remembering again all the great things you\u2019ve done, and it\u2019ll remind you of anything you missed, so you can be sure to get it across in the interview. Also, don\u2019t forget to read back through your CV so you\u2019re reminded of what\u2019s there in case they ask you any questions related to it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You applied for this job. Which job? Especially if you\u2019re doing lots of applications, it\u2019s easy to get muddled with which was which. Hopefully you\u2019ve kept an e-copy of the Job Description and Person Specification. Read through these again \u2013 often the person specification will tell you which bits they hope to see demonstrated in the application, and the interview. Make sure you\u2019ve got some great examples ready to share of how you meet each criteria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is a really good time to write down any questions you have about the role itself \u2013 don\u2019t forget, you\u2019re interviewing them as a potential future team too! Have you got any questions\/ clarifications about the role? Are there things you\u2019d like to ask the interviewers? Make sure you have one or two questions ready, as you\u2019ll be asked for any questions at the end of the interview. You might want to ask their hopes for the role, how they hope to work best with the new postholder, what they enjoy about working for the company, their biggest challenges, or even just when you\u2019ll find out the result of the interview!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. LOOK FORWARD<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who\u2019s interviewing you? Usually you\u2019ve been given the names \u2013 do a bit of research. It doesn\u2019t matter if they\u2019ve seen you look at their LinkedIn profile, it means you\u2019re doing your homework. You might find you studied at the same University, or have common interests \u2013 this can really help you feel less nervous, and build rapport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The same goes for the company. Make sure you\u2019ve done your homework on the company or organisation you\u2019re hoping to work for, and be ready to answer why you want to work for them specifically. Have they got a motto or tag line? Is there a USP to their brand? Get clued up, so you can show you know your stuff..<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Have you tried using Interview360 on the Careers & Enterprise Hub yet?<\/a> If not \u2013 do! It\u2019s a great resource, and includes a bank of questions you can browse through and get tips of how to answer, and it gives you the opportunity to have a mock interview, with AI (Artificially Intelligent) feedback. You can choose to do the interview by video, which means that it might closely emulate an online interview!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. GET READY<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the moment, your interview is probably online. This means you need to make sure you\u2019ve tested all your technology, and make sure there\u2019s a big \u2018do not disturb \u2013 interview in progress\u2019 sign on your door. Look at your surroundings, specifically what\u2019s behind you, and make sure there\u2019s nothing embarrassing or controversial in the background \u2013 interviewers probably don\u2019t want to see you laundry drying on an airer, or lots of mess. If this can\u2019t be avoided, you can always choose a pre-set virtual background through the interviewing platform \u2013 but make sure you check this out and set it up in plenty of time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dress to impress. Whether your interview is online or in person, this rule still stands. How you dress affects how you feel, and you want to show how professional you are. Also, if you\u2019re wearing pyjama bottoms and need to get something from across the room mid-interview, it might not be your well-prepared answers they\u2019ll remember you for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Journey to the interview. If you\u2019re doing it online, don\u2019t skip this point, it still stands. Whether you need to plan your three buses to arrive on time, or need to decide when to put your outfit on and enter the room you\u2019ll interview in, the journey matters. Don\u2019t underestimate it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, take a big deep breath. The best you can do is be yourself. So before you click the button to join the call, or walk through the door, make sure you take a big deep breath, and smile.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We wish you all the best with your interviews. Please know we are cheering you on from afar, and do email us and let us know how you get on!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you have any more tips for others, feel free to add them in the comments below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting further support from The Careers and Enterprise Team at CCCU<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You can get ongoing careers support via the following ways:<\/p>\n\n\n\n