Interview advice

Interviews can be nerve-wracking and sometimes frustrating. Below are some things you can do to improve your chances of success.

Remember that the employer wants you to be good and to be able to offer you a job. Make it easier for them to do so by preparing properly and controlling the things that you can control.

Here are some ideas to help you prepare for a non-AI interview.

You must think carefully about what motivates the interviewer and the company. Gather as much information as you can about this.

For instance, if you are interviewing for a role at a firm of commercial litigation solicitors, it would be good to know about their culture, recent changes in the law and important cases – particularly if they were involved. It would also be good to show a general awareness of what is being reported in the business press. For instance, if the company you are applying for does commercial property, you can research what is being reported in the news about the wider commercial property sector.

People’s favourite subjects are themselves and their jobs. The bottom line is always to think about what they want and tailor your answers and preparation to those needs.

So much focus is put on answers and the fear of not being able to say the right thing that interviewees sometimes forget to listen. The interviewer may be giving you important cues about what they are seeking, so be sure to actively listen.

If you have answered a question fully, don’t keep going to fill a perceived gap in the conversation. Sometimes less is more.

• Be on time and have spare copies of your application and CV.
• Dress appropriately
• Test your remote set-up or plan your journey to avoid lateness
• Know what the employer’s culture and mission are, and show an interest in them
• Keep your answers short
• If you don’t know the answer to a question, say so, rather than guessing
• Slow down. Take time to think and try not to speak too fast
• If you don’t understand a question, ask them to repeat or rephrase it
• If you are interviewing remotely:
• > Have a suitable blur or background and you are properly framed on the screen.
• > Have suitable lighting so that you can be seen clearly.
• > Make sure you are dressed appropriately.
• > Have enough bandwidth on your wifi
• > Make sure you are looking at the camera
• If the interview goes well and you don’t have any burning questions, don’t ask one for the sake of it. If they ask and you don’t have a meaningful question, just tell them you think they have covered everything.

Good luck.