Interview Tips
We know that interviewing can be scary and stressful, which is why we have compiled a list of 10 interview tips from our experiences in recruitment.
IPS Finance has 40 years’ experience in the Yorkshire accountancy recruitment market. We have built our business on long term relationships with both individuals and clients in all sectors, bringing real benefits to all concerned.
- Research – take the time to research the company/firm you are interviewing with. It’s important to have a look at their website, values, and goals to make sure you understand their focus. The meet the team pages can be a great way to understand the structure of the firm/company and see how other employees have progressed over time. As well as this, make sure you have thoroughly read the job description (if there is one) so you feel comfortable with what is required with the role.
- Practice, Practice, Practice! – There is nothing wrong with writing some notes to bring with you to the interview or practicing your answers ahead of time. It’s normal to feel nervous ahead of an interview, so practicing your answers will make you feel more comfortable on the day. Also, prepare questions for the interview so you have things to ask throughout to keep the conversation going.
- Review your CV ahead of the interview – This may sound silly, but knowing your CV inside and out is crucial for an interview. The last thing you want is to be caught out with a question about something on your CV and not remembering it was even on there in the first place!
- Wear smart business attire – Even if the day-to-day attire is casual dress, it’s still important to make a great first impression and show you have made the effort.
- Plan your route and leave plenty of time – It’s better to be 1 hour early than 1 minute late! Make sure you feel comfortable with the route and are clear on where to park, this will alleviate any last-minute stresses on the day!
- Smile, shake hands, and make eye contact – Body language is key to how we express ourselves, even if you are terrified, try to keep a calm demeanour by making eye contact and sitting up straight.
- Take time to answer the questions – don’t rush through your answers, try to take a second in between the question and your answer so you can thoughtfully respond and ensure you are putting your best foot forward.
- Thank the interviewer for their time at the end of the interview.
- Call your recruiter post-interview so we can get your feedback and then in-turn get feedback for you from the client.
Not all interviews go well, and that’s okay! The most important thing to remember is that each interview is a learning curve and if it goes that terribly, you will never see them again anyway!
