How to nail that job interview

I’ve worked in a number of different jobs in my life, including being a dishwasher in a pub; working as an administrator in many fields including real estate, healthcare and in start-up companies; a teaching assistant in a high school (english, drama and dance) and for med students (gynae); and a photographer. I’ve also been a manager, and been on both sides of the table when it comes to the often-dreaded job interview, and there are a few tips that I’ve picked up along the way.

Dress well

Whether you’re going for a job as a CEO, a manager or a dishwasher, you still need to dress tidily. Being well presented and taking pride in how you present yourself shows a standard of care that you will bring to the role. If you’re dressed sloppily then it can make the interviewer think that you don’t take the role seriously, you won’t care about the standard of work you do for the company or you just don’t care. You don’t need to be decked out in a three piece suit (unless that is appropriate for the role or that is your style), but do make sure that what you’re wearing is clean, fits well, doesn’t need mending, and is ironed (unlike my dress in these photos, which clearly needs re-pressing! I think I need to invest in a garment steamer). If you need a few tips on choosing an outfit then check out this post or ask me your questions below!

Know the company and the role

Make sure you know what you’re in for and find out everything you can about the role and about the company before you go. Just as this is a job interview to see if you are a good fit for the company, you need to make sure they are a good fit for you. Knowing what I’m in for makes me feel much more confident about my ability to do the job well.

Appearing confident

Looking people in the eye, and greeting them with a firm handshake and a smile can help you come across as the warm friendly person you are, and it helps to show that you’re confident. If you’re feeling super nervous before you go in then make sure you take a few deep breaths to help yourself relax. I try to arrive early to interviews and events so that I can have a quiet moment to centre myself.

Remember that you’ve already passed the first hurdle

With the job market being relatively small compared to the number of people who are looking for work, getting through to the stage where you actually get to have an interview is an achievement in itself. They’ve already looked at your CV and can see that you have the skills required for the job, now they want to see if you would be a good addition to the team. Just let yourself shine and that’s all you can do!

Do you have any job interview tips of your own? Share them with us below!

Meagan wears:
Wild Child Urban Stripe Bodice Tea Dress from Farmers (24)
180 Denier Tights from Donatella’s (3-4XL Long)
Black Croc Ocean Shoes from Ziera (37)
New Look Trench Coat from ASOS (24)
Alexa Glasses from Specsavers
Hair by Sean Mahoney at Vada Hair for Essano Beauty