Career Advice with Julia Yates

by Julia Yates

I’ve got an interview coming up next week and desperately need some tips! I’m really keen on the job but have never done an interview before and don’t know what to expect or how to prepare.

Well congratulations on getting an interview! You’ve obviously impressed them with your skills and experience and they’ve decided that on paper, at least, you could do the job.

In essence, a job interviewer only wants the answers to three questions:

• Can you do the job?

• Will you do the job?

• Will you fit in?

So you can base all your interview preparation around those three issues:

How can you prove you’ve got the skills they need, how can you show that you’re really enthusiastic and motivated, and do you come across as their kind of person?

A good interview will be full of lots of evidence, examples and thought.

Have a look at the job description that the employer has given you and identify the kinds of personality, skills and experience that they are looking for and then think about what examples in your life might demonstrate that you are exactly the person they have in mind.

Bring some examples of your work along and have a think about what you would like to show them and what you could tell them about your portfolio.

Have a good think about your first impressions.

Evidence shows that an interviewer will usually make up their mind about you in the first 30 seconds of the interview.

Have a think about what you’re going to wear – does it look appropriate for the kind of organisation? Practice your handshake – not too firm and not too limp.

And have a look in a mirror at your posture when you walk into a room and sit down.

These are simple things to get right, and can make a huge difference.

Finally, remember that it’s quite normal to be nervous and a good interviewer will understand and make allowances.