If you have been invited for an interview, congratulations! You have impressed the employer enough through your application that they want to find out more about you. Many people find the interview process exciting and rewarding, but also quite nerve-racking. Preparing thoroughly for your interview will not only increase your chances of success, but also reduce your nerves, making you feel more confident.

How to prepare for an interview

• Research the company. Use their website, but also other company guides such as Companies House and Hemscott. If they have been in the news recently, using a search engine should reveal the story.
• Research yourself. Take note about your key strengths (and weaknesses), the projects you’ve been involved in and the successes you’ve achieved. Ask the Careers Co-ordinator for a Skills Profile that you can fill in to self-evaluate your abilities and experiences.
• Go over your application again, and remind yourself of what you have already told the employer about yourself.
• Attend an Interview Workshop through Holborn College Careers Information Service, to give you in-depth advice on preparing, dealing with nerves and the questions you may be asked.
• Consider the questions the employer may ask and prepare ideas for answers. The Careers Service can provide suggestions for this and has a number of resources in the Careers Library addressing interview questions.
• Ensure you have all the details for the interview, paperwork prepared that you need to take along, and are sure of the location and journey time.
• Above all, relax! You have been invited to an interview because the employer is impressed with your application.

Employers are increasingly using many different types of interview in order to select the best candidates. You may be interviewed over the phone initially or invited to a face-to-face panel interview.

The employer may ask you to attend an assessment centre, complete psychometric tests or alternatively to have an ‘informal chat’. Interview styles vary, with some interviewers choosing to ask candidates competency or behavioural based questions, with others preferring a more traditional, CV based approach.

Whatever type of interview process you are facing, the Careers Co-ordinator at San Michael College is here to help you. Come into the Careers Information Service, located in Student Services, to find out more information and make sure to sign up to attend the Interview Workshop that runs every term.