Interview tips Do’s and Don’t’s

Do

Dress suitably

Plan out an outfit that fits the culture of the company you are applying for.

Be prepared

Before the interview, study the job description carefully, particularly the requirements. Write down how you match each requirement. Then, document your successes that demonstrate you meet, or exceed, those requirements.

Be punctual

Make sure you know where and who you are meeting with and arrive with 10 to 15 minutes to spare.

Be courteous

Be polite and greet everyone you meet, including people you meet in at reception.

Pay attention to your body language

Sit up straight, lean slightly forward, and look your interviewer in the eye. Smile and engage with each interviewer and nod slightly as he or she speaks.

Ask pertinent questions

Coming prepared with your own questions shows you’re interested in the company and you performed research before the interview. Be sure that the questions you ask show you are well-informed about the employer.

Don't

Not doing your research

You might have the skills to do the job, but do you know the how the company operates?

Turning up late

Dressing inappropriately

Poor body language.

Try to project body language that is positive and indicates interest.

Rambling

It’s tempting to ramble on about your successes in a former job, but do not focus on the specifics of a past role to the point where it dominates the conversation.

Speaking negatively about your current employer

This is one of the biggest mistakes job candidates make. Saying anything negative will be frowned upon. Focus on the most positive aspects of the job and the people. When you are negative, the assumption typically made is that there are the proverbial “two sides to every story,” and the other side of this story may have something very negative to say about you.

Not asking questions

What questions should you ask your interviewer?

Asking questions indicates your interest in the company, especially when your questions demonstrate knowledge of the industry sector and the company. Here are the 10 best questions to ask:

What attributes does someone need to have in order to be really successful in this position?
Do you expect the main responsibilities for this position to change in the next six months to a year?
Are there opportunities for advancement or professional development?
What are the performance expectations of this position over the first 12 months?
What metrics or goals will my performance be evaluated against?
What are the current goals that the company is focused on, and how does this team work to support hitting those goals?
Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?
How would you describe the work environment here—is the work typically collaborative or more independent?
What are the next steps in the interview process?
When can I expect to hear back from you?