INTERVIEW SKILLS — THIS IS YOUR MOMENT!

You've got through the door. Now give them every reason to offer you the job.

Congratulations! You've got an interview.

And that's worth celebrating.

Your CV has done its job. You've attracted the employer's attention, and they think you might have what they're looking for.

Now comes the next challenge.

Convincing them that you're the person they should employ.

Having spent many years in recruitment, I've always believed that an interview is an opportunity to sell yourself.

Not to exaggerate or pretend to be somebody you're not.

But to demonstrate your experience, abilities, personality, enthusiasm and what you could bring to the organisation.

And remember, interviews are a two-way process.

They're deciding whether they want to employ you.

You're also deciding whether you want to work for them.

But first, you need to make a good impression.

1. Do your homework!

There really is no excuse for arriving at an interview knowing absolutely nothing about the organisation.

You don't need to memorise its entire history, but you should have a reasonable understanding of:

• What the company does, its products or services and who its customers are.

• Its size, locations and general reputation.

• Its values, culture and any significant recent developments.

• The particular department or team you're hoping to join.

• The role you're applying for and the skills they're looking for.

Look at the company website, the job description, LinkedIn and any relevant recent news.

And think about why you'd like to work there.

If someone asks, “What do you know about our company?” or “Why do you want to work here?”, you should have something meaningful to say.

Showing that you've made an effort demonstrates interest, initiative and professionalism.

2. Know the job you're applying for

This sounds obvious, doesn't it?

But you'd be surprised how easy it is to apply for several jobs and lose track of exactly what each involves.

Read the job description again before the interview.

What are the main responsibilities?

Which skills and qualities are particularly important?

What experience do you have that matches their requirements?

Prepare examples that demonstrate why you'd be good at the job.

And think about any areas where you have less experience.

You don't need to pretend you're brilliant at everything.

But you should be able to explain how you'd approach learning something new.

3. Know your own CV!

You wrote it. You should know what's on it.

Read it carefully before the interview.

Be prepared to discuss previous jobs, responsibilities, achievements, qualifications and career decisions.

If you've written that you're an excellent communicator, be ready to give an example.

If you've claimed experience managing projects, expect to be asked about them.

And if you've used AI to help write your CV, make absolutely sure you understand and can substantiate everything it says.

Your CV got you the interview. Now you need to bring it to life.

4. First impressions really do matter

You may have excellent qualifications and experience, but how you present yourself can influence an interviewer's initial impression.

Dress appropriately for the role and organisation.

Personally, I would generally rather see someone slightly overdressed than underdressed, although today's workplaces vary enormously.

A smart suit may be appropriate for a professional services role, while neat, well-presented clothing might be better suited to a more informal environment.

The important thing is to look as though you've made an effort.

Be clean, tidy and comfortable in what you're wearing.

And don't forget the basics.

Smile. Make eye contact where comfortable. Be polite and friendly.

A confident, comfortable handshake may be appropriate if one is offered, but it's not compulsory. A friendly greeting is what matters.

Remember that receptionists and other employees deserve the same courtesy as the person interviewing you.

And yes, put your phone away!

5. Be on time — obviously!

Being late can create a poor first impression before you've even started.

Check the interview location in advance.

Work out your route, travel time and parking or public transport arrangements.

Allow extra time for delays.

Aim to arrive around 10 minutes early, unless you've been given different instructions.

If something genuinely unavoidable happens, contact the interviewer as soon as possible.

For an online interview, check your internet connection, camera, microphone, background and meeting link beforehand.

And make sure you know which time zone applies if the interview is with an international organisation.

Don't let something entirely avoidable undermine all your preparation.

6. TALK! This is your chance to shine.

Here's one of my biggest pieces of advice.

Don't give one-word answers.

An interviewer asks:

“Do you enjoy working in a team?”

You reply:

“Yes.”

Well, that's lovely.

But it doesn't tell them anything!

Try something like:

“Yes, I really enjoy working with other people. In my previous job, we often had to work together to meet tight deadlines, and I particularly enjoyed coordinating different tasks and helping colleagues solve problems.”

Much better.

You've answered the question and given them some evidence.

Remember, an interviewer isn't a mind reader.

They don't automatically know how capable, interesting, reliable or enthusiastic you are.

You have to tell them — and ideally show them through examples.

But there's a balance.

You want to be engaging and informative, not deliver a twenty-minute monologue in response to every question.

7. Listen to the question — and answer it!

It sounds simple, but nerves can make us do peculiar things.

Sometimes we start talking before we've properly understood the question.

Or we launch into a carefully rehearsed answer that doesn't actually address what we've been asked.

Listen carefully.

Take a moment to think.

And answer the question.

If you're unsure what the interviewer means, it's perfectly acceptable to ask for clarification.

If a question has several parts, try to address each one.

And if you realise you've wandered off track, simply bring yourself back.

A thoughtful, relevant answer is far more impressive than a long answer that misses the point.

8. Prepare examples — not just claims

Many employers use competency-based or behavioural questions.

You might be asked:

“Tell me about a time you dealt with a difficult customer.”

“Give me an example of when you worked under pressure.”

“Describe a situation where you solved a problem.”

“Tell me about a time something didn't go according to plan.”

A useful way to structure your response is the STAR method:

S — Situation: What was happening?

T — Task: What were you responsible for?

A — Action: What did you actually do?

R — Result: What happened, and what did you learn?

For example, rather than saying you're good at solving problems, describe a real situation where you identified a problem, took action and achieved a result.

Try to prepare a handful of examples that demonstrate different qualities, such as teamwork, initiative, adaptability, communication and resilience.

They can come from employment, education, volunteering or other relevant experiences.

Evidence is more convincing than adjectives.

9. Be enthusiastic — without putting on an act

Employers aren't only interested in whether you can do the job.

They also want to understand whether you're interested in doing it.

Why have you applied?

What appeals to you about the role?

What could you contribute?

Show some enthusiasm.

Smile when it feels natural.

Engage with the conversation.

Let your personality come through.

You don't have to be the loudest or most extroverted person in the room.

Quiet, thoughtful people can make excellent impressions too.

The aim is to communicate interest and confidence in a way that feels genuine.

Be yourself — but make sure the interviewer gets to see the best of you.

10. Prepare for the difficult questions

Some interview questions can feel uncomfortable.

“What are your weaknesses?”

“Why did you leave your last job?”

“Why is there a gap in your employment history?”

“Why should we employ you?”

“Tell me about a mistake you've made.”

Don't panic.

Prepare honest, constructive responses.

If you've made a mistake, explain what you learned.

If you're changing careers, highlight your transferable skills.

If you've been out of employment, explain your situation as much as you're comfortable doing and focus on what you can offer now.

Avoid criticising previous employers or colleagues, even if you've had difficult experiences.

And remember, you don't have to disclose unnecessary personal or medical information.

Honesty, self-awareness and a constructive attitude are more useful than pretending you've never encountered a problem.

11. Ask questions!

Towards the end of the interview, you'll often hear:

“Do you have any questions for us?”

Please don't automatically say no.

This is your opportunity to demonstrate interest and find out whether the role is right for you.

You could ask:

• What would success look like in this role after the first six months?

• What would a typical working day or week involve?

• What are the biggest challenges facing the team?

• How would you describe the working culture?

• What training or development opportunities are available?

• How is performance assessed?

• What do you particularly enjoy about working here?

• Why has the position become available?

• What are the next steps in the recruitment process?

Choose two or three that genuinely interest you.

Avoid asking questions that have already been answered.

And there's nothing wrong with asking about salary, working arrangements or benefits at an appropriate stage, particularly if those details haven't been made clear.

Remember, you're interviewing them too.

12. What if you're nervous?

Most people experience some nerves before an interview.

And that's understandable.

You want to make a good impression.

You may really want the job.

And being questioned by people you've never met can feel rather unnatural.

Preparation can help.

Practise answering questions aloud.

Ask a friend to conduct a mock interview.

Think through examples from your experience.

Allow yourself time to settle before you go in.

And remember that it's perfectly acceptable to pause and think before answering.

If you need reasonable adjustments because of a disability or health condition, you can request them from the employer or recruiter.

You don't have to eliminate every trace of nervousness to give a good interview.

13. Finish well

At the end of the interview, thank the interviewer for their time.

If you're genuinely interested in the role, say so.

You might say:

“Thank you, I've really enjoyed learning more about the position. It sounds like an opportunity I'd be very interested in.”

Ask about the next steps if they haven't already explained them.

And if appropriate, send a brief, professional thank-you email afterwards.

It doesn't need to be elaborate.

Just courteous and genuine.

The final test — would you employ you?

Before your interview, ask yourself:

1. Have I researched the company and understood the role?

2. Can I clearly explain why I want this job?

3. Do I know my CV and can I discuss everything on it?

4. Have I prepared examples that demonstrate my skills?

5. Can I explain what makes me different from other applicants?

6. Am I ready to give proper answers rather than one-word responses?

7. Have I prepared some thoughtful questions?

8. Have I planned my journey, clothing and arrival time?

9. Can I explain what I could contribute to the organisation?

10. If I were interviewing myself, would I want to offer me the job?

Something to take away

Getting an interview is an achievement in itself.

It means somebody has seen enough potential in your application to want to find out more.

Don't waste that opportunity by arriving unprepared or assuming your CV will do all the talking.

Do your research.

Know your experience.

Listen carefully.

Answer the questions.

Give examples.

Show enthusiasm.

And above all, sell yourself!

Not by pretending to be something you're not, but by helping the employer see what you genuinely have to offer.

You may not get every job you interview for. Sometimes another candidate will simply be a better match.

But good preparation means you can walk away knowing you've given yourself the best possible chance.

And one final piece of advice?

Smile!

It costs nothing, helps create a friendly atmosphere and might even make you feel a little more relaxed.

Something to think about, don't you think?

FUSION FIT UK
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General UK career guidance. Interview practices vary between employers and industries. Always follow the instructions provided for your particular interview.

For client use only. Please do not reproduce or distribute without permission.