Interview Preparation

Good preparation is crucial - the best prepared candidate invariably gets the job.

This is why:

Preparation is evidence of professionalism, and interest in the company, but above all, it is indicative of the way a candidate is likely to work. If someone doesn't prepare properly for an interview which may have an impact on their entire career, what kind of an employee are they likely to be? Preparation is vital.

So what do we mean by preparation?

First we mean research, gathering as much information as possible.

You need to:

• Visit the company's website
• Read their corporate brochure, annual report & accounts
• Ask for divisional brochures and further literature if available
• Review the job spec and seek as much information about the role as available.

Regularly monitor the financial press Good ways to get this information include asking your recruitment consultancy for as much help as possible, making use of contacts and searching press coverage at websites such as www.ft.com

Having done your research, use it to develop questions and points of view, which will both help you gather key information at interview as well as impressing. Also, plan answers to questions they are likely to ask.

The final stage of preparation is rehearsal. Practice at presenting yourself. The best way to do this is to arrange a mock interview with your recruitment consultancy or another trained interviewer. Preparation done, it's now time for the real thing.