The document provides 7 tips for successful interviews: 1) do thorough research on yourself, the organization, and the job; 2) analyze the organization's public materials to identify key themes; 3) arrive 15 minutes early so you can relax before the interview; 4) be polite to all staff as they may provide feedback; 5) dress conservatively to make a good first impression; 6) prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer; and 7) demonstrate genuine enthusiasm for the role throughout the interview.

1. 7 top tips for
successful
interviews

2. 7 top tips for successful interviews
#1: do your research
 research yourself
• know why you are the best person for the job
• know your strengths and abilities
 research the organisation
• know why you want to work for them
• know what they do and how much of it they do
• know the staff; who is likely to be interviewing you?
 research the job
• really get to know the job description and person specification
• take advantage of offers to talk through the post
 practice interview questions
• Prepare answers out loud

3. 7 top tips for successful interviews
#2: be a mystery shopper
 go through their website, brochures, literature
with a fine tooth comb
• how do they describe themselves in their ‘about us’
section?
• what key words can you identify?
 observe the work environment before your
interview
• do your potential colleagues pleasant / happy?
• do you see yourself working with the people that
walk out of the building?
• is the building tidy or unkempt?
• phone and ask a question; is the receptionist rude?
• does what you see live up to the website / literature
description?

4. 7 top tips for successful interviews
#3: arrive 15 minutes early
 nothing upsets a potential employer
more than an applicant who is not
punctual
 psychologically it is to your advantage
to arrive to the interview early
• you will have time to focus all your
energy on a positive outcome
• you will have time to interact with other
members of staff
• you will have time to relax, take some
deep breaths and imagine a successful
interview

5. 7 top tips for successful interviews
#4: be nice to everyone
 the interview panel will
probably ask for
feedback from all of the
people you interact with
during the interview
process – so be
nice, smile, say hello

6. 7 top tips for successful interviews
#5: dress to impress
 if you research the company thoroughly you
will know what to wear to fit in
 some of your individualism might have to
be shelved for conservative conformity
 better to be too conservative than to be too
flashy
 your clothes, hairstyle, accessories and
posture say more about you than a CV or
application form ever will
 you only have one chance to make a first
impression - the job interview is the only
chance you have to sell yourself in person

7. 7 top tips for successful interviews
#6: prepare lots of questions
 a job interview is as much about you deciding if this
is a place you would like to work as it is them
deciding if they want you to work for them!
 if you don’t feel ‘the chemistry’ between you and
your potential employer boss within 5 minutes
don’t feel you have to accept the position if it is
offered to you; most people are unhappy in work or
leave a job because of management issues, not
salary
 when they ask “do you have any questions?” always
have at least 3 - please avoid anything to do with
salary, number of annual leave days or hours of
work

8. 7 top tips for successful interviews
#7: be enthusiastic
 both positive and negative energy are contagious
– do all you can to make the interview a positive
experience for everyone
 show real enthusiasm for the job – but don’t be
OTT!
 smile
 tailor your responses to their expectations
 be an active listener
 don’t be afraid to ask for the question to be
repeated of rephrased
 at the end of the interview, after all your
questions have been answered give a 30 second
recap of your skills in relation to the job and
reiterate your interest in working with the
company (if you are still interested that is!)

9. thank you
Kathy Ennis
020 8926 0331
kathy@kathyennis.co.uk
www.kathyennis.co.uk
@kathyennis