Of all the times when a first impression matters, the job interview is right up there. For many job seekers, it’s a nerve-wracking time. You’re never sure what questions may be asked of you, what the interviewers are looking for, or whether you will say the right thing.

However, you can prepare for a job interview. In fact, preparation is of the utmost importance, as is presenting yourself well and having confidence in yourself and your abilities.

At Asset Recruitment, we advise all our job seekers to enjoy the interview experience and with these top tips, we’re sure you will.

1.Prepare, prepare and prepare some more
There is simply no better substitute for a successful job interview than preparation, nor any limit to how much preparation you can do. But what should you prepare for? To start with, note down answers to some of the most common interview questions, such as:

• What do you believe are your strongest attributes?
• When were you challenged in your role and how did you deal with the challenge?
• What would you say your weaknesses are?
• Why should we hire you?
• Where do you see yourself in five years?

Compose thoughtful answers to these questions and practise replying.

2.Practise out loud
When practising answers to potential interview questions, do so with others around. Get your friends and family to ask you questions that put you on the spot. This will help you to think quickly and efficiently. It will help to build up your confidence in answering unexpected questions.

3.Dress to impress
A good first impression goes a long way and feeling comfortable in an interview starts with what you’re wearing. Choose clothing that gives you confidence, makes you feel good, and looks the part too. Think collared shirts, matching socks and clean shoes. Taking pride in your appearance gives your future employer confidence you’ll take pride in your work.

4.Research company operations and values
Do your research into the company you are interviewing with, even if you’re only applying for a temporary position. You never know what this temp position could lead to! Search the company website to see the extent of their operations, how many staff they have, where their offices are located and what sets them apart. The About page on any company website usually gives a good insight into what they believe in, the type of company culture they have and what they value.

5.Ask questions of your own
Prepare two or three questions you would like to ask the interview panel. They will usually give you the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the interview so show you’ve got initiative and the confidence to do so. You may be interested in finding out:

• What do they enjoy about working at the company?
• What plans do they have for the company in the next five years?
• How do they support their employees?

6.Turn up early
Turning up late to a job interview won’t win you any points, no matter how good your excuse may be. Find out how long it will take you to reach the office, whether you’re coming by car, bike, foot or public transport. If you’re driving, ring reception well beforehand and ask where the best place to park is. We recommend job seekers turn up five to 10 minutes early. This gives you time to take a breath, comb your hair, reapply your lipstick and feel calm and collected before going in to the interview room.

7.Be yourself
Some job seekers thrive in interview situations but for many of us, it’s one of the most stressful situations we find ourselves in. It’s important to remember that the interview panel aren’t setting out to make you feel uncomfortable. Rather, they want to get to know you, to gauge your potential and why they should hire you for the position. So be yourself. Show your sense of humour, make it evident you want this job, and speak out about your abilities. You need to be your own best salesperson.

8.Be clear and concise
Answer the questions posed during the interview. Be clear and concise and get to the point, but stop there. Don’t keep talking for the sake of it. If your interviewers want further information from you, they’ll ask. By answering the question directly, you are showing the panel you have listened to the question, understood it, and responded appropriately.

9.Mind your Ps and Qs
Everybody likes to be treated with respect and deserves to be too – your interviewers are no different. Speak politely, remember your manners, and be courteous. A simple ‘thank you for your time’ or a ‘nice to meet you’ goes a long way and could be the difference between you and a fellow candidate.

10.Visualise your success
A great way to increase the chances of success in any job interview is to visualise how you want it to go. Imagine yourself in the hot seat, answering questions with ease, and developing a good rapport with the interview panel. Visualising yourself giving articulate answers with confidence will help you to feel positive about the interview experience.

At Asset Recruitment, we specialise in temporary, permanent, executive and industrial recruitment. Every day, we have job seekers interviewing for a range of roles in companies across Waikato. Our advice to all of them is to enjoy the experience. Not every interview will be successful but those that are will put you on the path to an exciting job and ongoing career success, and there’s nothing like learning from past experiences.

If you’re looking for your next job, register with our team at Asset Recruitment today.