Your ultimate interview preparation guide – top 10 tips

You’ve trawled job adverts, connected with a recruiter and sent off your CV. Now you’ve finally been called in for an interview - congratulations! You’ve done the hard part of your job search. You need to convince your potential employers that you are the person they want for the job. Whether a face-to-face or a virtual interview, there’s no faking your way through an interview.

Whether a face-to-face or a virtual interview, there’s no faking your way through an interview – and with the proper prep, you won’t have to. Here are our top ten interview preparation tips.

Think positive

It’s easy to get nervous when you have an important job interview coming up. Adapt a positive frame of mind by reminding yourself that your CV impressed your potential employers so much that they wanted to meet you. Practice breathing exercises that can help calm your nerves – this will come in handy on the day of the interview. Remember, your body releases the same hormones when you’re nervous or excited, so turn those nerves into something positive by telling yourself how excited you are about this job opportunity.

Read our guide for more tips on dealing with interview nerves

Get organized

The next step is to get the interview admin out of the way. Tasks like printing off an extra copy of your CV and deciding on your interview outfit are small but essential, so getting them ticked off the list gives you less to think about, leaving you free to focus on the rest of your interview prep.

If your interview is going to be a virtual one, your preparation may need to be a bit more involved and require some setting up. Ensure that your computer, internet connection, camera and microphone are all working correctly and that you can be heard and seen clearly. Ensure you’ve got plenty of light, dress just as professionally as you would for an in-person interview, and find a clutter-free, quiet space for your interview.

Some tasks to complete:

Print extra copies of your CV
Pick your outfit
Find the interview location and plan your route there
Prep your workspace and tech for a remote interview
Create an interview prep notebook or folder

Research the company

One of the most important things you can do to prep for an interview is to do substantial research and revise it as thoroughly as possible. Use your interview prep notebook to jot down important points as you come across them.

The chances are you will already have done some initial research on the company when you applied for the job, and it’s now time to build on your knowledge. Find out who the key players in the company are, along with who you may meet as a part of your job interview – LinkedIn is a great resource. Find out about the company’s mission, vision and values. You’ll then know how to answer interview questions covering cultural fit. Read up on the latest company events and news and try and learn as much as possible about their services, products, partners, and customers.

What to research about the company:

Key players like the CEO, directors, and your interviewers
The company’s mission, vision, values, and goals
Products and services
Customers, suppliers and partners
News and events

Research the job role and career paths

You should already have a good idea about the role you have applied for and what it involves. Now that you have done your company research, it’s a good idea to see how the role you have applied for fits in with the department or company. This will also give you an insight into the career paths available there. If you can find information about training opportunities, look at those and see how they fit in with your career path.

Brush up on the industry

Knowledge of the latest industry news and trends will come in handy if the interviewer decides to conduct an industry-specific evaluation. Think about the technical and soft skills you have that would be an asset in that particular job sector. Your interviewers will be impressed that you have thought about what you bring to the table.

Read our guide on the top job skills employers look for.

Re-read your CV

If you’ve applied for more than one job, it’s vital to revisit what you’ve said on your CV, including the essential skills and experience you highlighted for this particular role. Read through your personal statement and cover letter as well – the chances are your interviewers will bring some of these points up during your interview.

For tips on how to update your CV and the different formats used, read our CV guide.

Prep for the interview questions

The interviewers already have a good idea of your relevant skills and experience from reading your CV. The questions you’ll be asked during the job interview allow you to expand on those details and highlight why you’re a great candidate, as well as show off your personality and help you build rapport with the interviewer. The interviewers want to learn more about who you are, how you work, what drives you, and why you want this job. Make a list of the questions they may ask you based on the role and your qualifications, and plan your answers.

For more help, read our guide on common interview questions and how to answer them.

Plan some questions for the interviewer

The interview is your chance to get to know your potential employers. They may ask you if you have any questions for them at the end of the interview, so prepare a few questions beforehand. Avoid asking about salary or benefits; ask questions that demons trate a genuine interest in the role and the company. Well-thought-out questions will make you look confident and show your interest in the job.

Do a mock interview

Ask your friend or mentor to conduct a mock interview with you. Give them a list of questions you may get asked, and hand them a copy of your CV. Going over your prep with another person can build your confidence ahead of the interview and help you fine-tune your answers to some of the more difficult questions.

Relax – you’ve got this

You’ve done your prep, so relax and try to look forward to the interview experience. Go back over your notes the night before the interview, but don’t spend too much time trying to learn everything by heart – instead, get a good night’s rest and enjoy some downtime before you re-focus in the morning.

Think positive, let your personality shine through, and demonstrate why you’re an excellent candidate for the job. Use the interview to decide if this is the right company for you.

Don’t forget to send your interviewers a follow-up email within 24 hours of your interview, thanking them for their time.

Get routine tasks out of the way before you begin your interview prep
Research your role, the company, and the industry
Prepare your answers to commonly asked interview questions and practice with a friend.

“Whether a face-to-face or a virtual interview, there’s no faking your way through an interview. Luckily with the proper prep, you won’t have to._”

The tips above will help you build confidence and create a great impression in the interview. Good luck!

If you need help updating your CV or to find out about our latest roles, contact your local Adecco branch and connect with a recruiter today!

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