Success Job Interview Tips

All the people who are serious about getting a job always prepare for an interview, but rather than the usual tips, we're giving you some little bits of rare insight from ourselves, a specialist recruitment firm, that may well give you the edge over your competition.

The interview stage of applying for a job can be the make or break moment that either lands you the role or sends you packing.

Everyone knows the usual nuggets of advice: dress well; be polite; research the company; don't waffle. But what is going to make you stand out? Here are some lesser known tips that will hopefully do just that:

 1. Ask the right questions. When an interviewer asks you if you have any questions, it's easy to fall in the trap of asking the same old ones like or 'What will I be doing day to day?' But if you ask questions that are insightful and show you are passionate about the company and role, it can make you stand out. Something like, 'What were the best things about the last person in this position?' would be good. Get some more ideas for questions in this article.

 2. Know your interviewer. Although many interviewers are experienced seniors who know what they're doing, it's not uncommon for someone with little or no experience interviewing candidates to be sat on the other side of the desk. Get a feel for who's interviewing you, and if they're struggling or not asking very good questions, try to guide the interview and ensure that you get a chance to fully demonstrate your skills, abilities and achievements. And don't forget to have a conversation with them.

 3. The best candidate doesn't always get the job. Unfortunately it's often the person whom the interviewer feels they have most in common, or gets along with the best which lands the role, so along with showing off your abilities, make sure this is you. Ask about the company culture so that you can show you'll be a fit for the role. Don't complain about your old boss and avoid confrontation at all costs. If the interviewer mentions something about their lives or themselves, take an interest, and try to draw genuine similarities between them and yourself.

  4. Actually ask for the job. Well, perhaps not overtly, because that would be weird. But if the selection process is a very close-run thing, it can often be hard for recruiters to choose between candidates. Saying things like "I would really like this job" in the interview is going to stick in the employers mind, and when there's nothing between the abilities of you and the next person, it will come down to who wants it more.

 5. Smile, be happy and relax. OK, so this one is not that unusual, but it's surprising how many candidates don't take it into account. Smiling and being happy is important because employers want to hire happy people. Simple! Being (or at least appearing) relaxed contributes to an overall professional and prepared demeanour.