The complete interview guide

We’ve been in business for 32 years so we know a thing or two about what it takes to nail a job interview. Drawing on the knowledge of our expert recruiters, we’ve developed this comprehensive guide designed to help you conduct successful interviews and, therefore, outshine the competition. Regardless of your level, this guide will help you to perfect your interview skills.

Download the Complete Interview Guide or read the chapter highlights below.

1. Prepare to be the best you

The importance of preparation cannot be overstated. As well as boosting your confidence, it will help you to present your best self.

Interviewers frequently test a candidate's preparation to see how enthusiastic they are about the role and the company. Thorough preparation demonstrates to them that you’re serious about the job. In this chapter we show you how to prepare for success.

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2. Make a strong start

It's been said that first impressions count and it’s especially true of job interviews. One third of bosses say they know within 90 seconds whether they will hire someone, so starting strong is a must. 

Given these first few moments can have such a decisive impact, in this chapter we tell you how to start strong – together with some cautionary tales of what not to do from real interviewers.

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3. Know your interview questions

There are some common interview questions that you can almost guarantee will come up in one form or another, so you need to ensure you’ve got some good answers at the ready.

On top of that interviewers are relying more and more on competency questions to help them differentiate between competing candidates. But what are they exactly – and what’s the best way to approach them? In this chapter, we help you to prepare for common interview questions and show you how to use competency questions to tell a powerful story.

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4. Avoid interview mistakes

While it's important to know the right thing to do and say at an interview, it's also essential to understand the common interview pitfalls that many unwittingly fall into.

In this chapter, we share insights from our leading recruitment experts on the top six interview mistakes to avoid. 

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5. Thrive in all conditions

Whether it's a Skype interview with the line manager or an in-person interview with the HR manager, every situation is different. It’s important to be well prepared so you can thrive in all conditions.

Our final chapter covers the dos and don’ts of Skype interviews, flexing your interview style for the line manager vs the HR person, and how to overcome unconscious bias.

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