When it comes to securing a new role, you’ll want to ensure you make the right impression. But do you know how to prepare for a job interview? It’s the key to success; and thorough research and planning is the only way to impress your interviewer. 

Before the big day, you’ll need to consider a number of points; from the questions they’re likely to ask and how you’re going to get there, to who you’re meeting with and what to take with you.   

By preparing everything you need ahead of time, you’re setting yourself up for success in the interview. You know what they say, if you fail to plan – you plan to fail.  

However, figuring out exactly what to prepare can be difficult. But, there are several factors you should consider as part of your pre-interview preparation; we’ll cover these in more detail below. 

Do your research 

Research is essential before any job interview. Whether it’s memorising the company’s mission statement, or working out the quickest route to get there; it’s vital that you brush up on your knowledge. After all, you don’t want, the employer to catch you out. 

When you prepare for a job interview, it’s important to start as soon as possible. Begin with an internet search of the company and read through its website, social media platforms and any other literature it may have online. 

This should help you to build a better picture of the company’s values, goals, and even its clients; which is useful if you’re interviewing for a job in sales. 

However, don’t limit your research to just learning about the company. Explore the sector it operates in, investigate its biggest competitors and note any industry trends or news that may be happening at the time.  

By preparing for a job interview this way, you’ll prove to the interviewer that you’re passionate about the industry; plus, it will lead to more meaningful conversations during your meeting.  

Finally, be sure to review the job description for the role you’re interviewing for. By going through this in detail, you’ll ensure that you’re fully aware of what the role requires. Ultimately, this will help you to pinpoint which skills and real-world examples to highlight; making sure you impress your interviewer. 

Plan your journey 

Another point to consider when you prepare for a job interview is your journey. To avoid any stress, make sure you know where you’re going and how long it will take you to get there.  

If you don’t know the area well, it could be worth doing a trial run a few days before. This enables you to gauge how long the journey will take and gives you a chance to familiarise yourself with where you’re meeting. 

On the actual day, make sure you leave with plenty of extra time to allow for possible delays; especially if you’re relying on public transport. The last thing you want to do is turn up late to the interview and feel stressed or panicked before you go in. 

Pick a professional outfit 

A key part of preparing for a job interview is picking the perfect outfit. The way you dress says as much about you as your CV or your performance in the interview itself.  

Planning your outfit ahead of time will save you from stressing the morning of your interview. Plus, it gives you time to buy new clothes if necessary. 

Dressing professionally is important; it shows the interviewer that you’re taking the opportunity seriously. Plus, sticking to a professional dress code also reduces the risk of your outfit distracting them (or you!) 

Whatever you choose to wear, make sure it’s clean and not ill-fitting; you don’t want to be walking around in something that’s too tight or loose. Also, it’s worth considering your colour scheme when you prepare for a job interview. Keep it subtle. Neutral or pastel colours will ensure you look smart and professional. 

For women opting to wear a dress or skirt, it’s important to consider the length and ensure it’s appropriate. This also applies to vests or blouses; you don’t want your outfit to be too revealing. 

Similarly, when applying make-up and choosing jewellery, try to keep it subtle. Heavy make-up doesn’t look professional and clunky jewellery could be distracting to both you and the interviewer. 

For men, it’s important that you look well groomed. Make sure that both your hair and facial hair are kept clean and trimmed. And, if you choose to wear a suit, try to avoid bold or novelty ties. 

Practise your responses 

Although you can’t predict what questions the employer will ask when you prepare for a job interview, you can research and rehearse answers to the most common offenders.  

Remember, the questions the interviewer may ask you will differ by industry. For example, questions for a cleaning job may differ to those for an IT Manager role.