Here's how you can ace your job interview by avoiding common mistakes.

Ahead of your interview, thorough research into the company is essential. It not only signals your keen interest in the position but also showcases your proactive approach and readiness. Dive into understanding the company's mission, values, products, and market position. This background will empower you to tailor your answers to resonate with the company's objectives and culture, and it equips you to pose thoughtful questions. Keep in mind, interviews are mutual opportunities, where asking astute questions can be as pivotal as providing articulate responses.

Research is crucial! Make sure you understand the company's mission, values, products, services, recent changes, and industry challenges. Use their website, social media, press releases, and LinkedIn for more information. Review the job description to know your role, responsibilities, and required skills. This preparation shows genuine interest and initiative, allowing you to tailor your responses and ask insightful questions, demonstrating alignment with the company's goals and culture.

Research matters. A well done research on aspects of the company related to the role you're interviewing for can take you a long way. Apart from showing your dedication, profesjonalizm and engagement in the process it can also be a good conversation starter, helping you connect and make common subject with the interviewers. Ask relevant questions follow up on things that weren't clear to you, or you'd like to understand better. Use research as your leverage to help them solve their ongoing challenges. Share your ideas and your approach to solving their problems. If you're a recruiter research their job openings to see where their current focus is, share your experience recruiting for these roles.

Research is key and not just about the firm that you are interviewing with but also the line of business that you are applying to with a focus on what they do, where you can add value, focus on skills both fungible and specialist as well as current market trends be it regulatory impact to that role or AI shaping the profit landscape. Being prepared is always 🔑.

In my personal experience, thorough research is your foundation. Understand the company’s mission, values, and recent achievements. Familiarize yourself with the role’s responsibilities and the team you’ll be working with. This shows genuine interest and helps you tailor your answers to align with the company’s goals. Use LinkedIn to learn about your interviewers and prepare questions that demonstrate your deep knowledge and enthusiasm.

First impressions matter, and your outfit will set the tone. If you're unsure about the dress code, it's safer to be slightly formal than too casual. Check the company's website or LinkedIn for hints about their culture, and dress one step up from what you see. Consider if the role is customer-facing or not. Avoid bright colours, loud patterns, or excessive accessories. The aim is to ensure the interviewer focuses on your skills, not your outfit.

Your attire speaks volumes during an interview, setting the stage for how you're perceived. Opting for appropriate dress means selecting an outfit that mirrors the company's culture while upholding a polished appearance. When in doubt about the dress code, leaning towards a more formal style is a safe bet. Prioritize cleanliness, well-fitted garments, and avoid distractions such as bold patterns or overly ornate accessories. The aim is to ensure the interviewer focuses on your abilities and expertise, rather than being distracted by your attire.

First impressions matter. Dress in a way that aligns with the company culture but errs on the side of professionalism. If unsure, business casual is a safe bet. From my experience, a well-put-together appearance shows respect for the opportunity and the interviewers. Ensure your attire is clean, fits well, and makes you feel confident.

If you're interviewing for a corporate position, opt for business attire such as a suit and tie or a professional dress. In contrast, if the company has a more casual culture, smart casual attire may be appropriate. Remember, dressing appropriately not only creates a positive first impression but also shows your readiness and respect for the opportunity. It demonstrates that you've put effort into presenting yourself professionally, setting a strong foundation for a successful interview.

Dress for the occasion! Whether it’s physical or virtual, ensure that you’re properly dressed for your interview. For men: a nice and ironed shirt/suit with neat and properly fitted trousers. For ladies: a corporate dress or collared shirt with a decent skirt. Avoid unnecessary exposure of your body. The popular saying “dress the way you want to be addressed” still applies today. All the best!

Plan ahead: Ensure you know exactly where you are going, how to get there, and how long the journey will take. Always aim to arrive 10-15 minutes early to show punctuality.

Nowadays, when most interviews take place online, it is enough to join the meeting one minute before it starts. Just make sure to give yourself enough time bracket to check your internet connection, mike and the camera. We all know life happens, so whenever you know you'll be late or can't make it due to some unexpected circumstances, don't panic. Make sure to let the recruiter know as soon as you can and be transparent. Recruiter is also a human, they most likely understand and let you reschedule. But I can't stress enough how crucial it is to keep the recruiter informed. The worst thing you can do is let them second guess your motivation and professionalism and wonder whether you ghosted them, forgot, or aren't committed.

Being on time is non-negotiable. Aim to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early. This not only shows your punctuality but also gives you time to calm your nerves and review your notes. From previous experiences, arriving late can set a negative tone and suggest a lack of respect for the interviewer’s time.

Make sure to try the IT system before the interview, sometimes it asks to login etc so you avoid showing up late. It's not a good look

When interviewing or meeting students on campus as Warwick JP ambassador - we are always looking for students or applicants who are truly eager to learn and make an impact from day one. Apart from conversations, body language and non verbal cues are usually a go to now for recruiters and hiring managers to be able to differentiate between the talent pool and find the right fit for their firm and role. How you hold yourself, example facial cues, standing straight, firm hand shake, eye contact all go a long way.

Remember to look at the camera when interviewing via video call; do not look at yourself! By looking at the camera, you will create eye contact. The interviewers might not be doing the same, as they might be looking at you or your presentation, but try to keep looking at the camera as much as possible while remaining natural!

Your body language is a silent yet powerful communicator of your confidence and interest in the role. Maintain steady eye contact, deliver a firm handshake, and sit upright to exude assurance. It's crucial to be aware of nervous habits like fidgeting or touching your face, which can detract from your message. Align your non-verbal cues with your verbal responses; nodding to show agreement and smiling appropriately can enhance the warmth and engagement of your interaction with the interviewer.

Your body language speaks volumes. Maintain eye contact, offer a firm handshake, and sit up straight. These actions convey confidence and engagement. Avoid crossing your arms or fidgeting, which can signal discomfort or disinterest. In our projects, clients who practice positive body language often feel more at ease and leave a better impression.

The Volume of your self confidence during an interview can indirect influence your chances of being hired. You sale yourself during an interview and if your bid yourself law, you may end up losing out or with crumbs as no company would want to hire a low self esteemed person.

Actively listening during the interview can help you think of some fantastic questions to ask at the end of the interview. It goes a long way when the candidates ask a question about what has already been discussed about the role, company or interviewer. This way, you would demonstrate genuine enthusiasm and the ability to build relationships, a crucial skill for many roles.

Listening is such an important part of the interview process. Sounds obvious doesn't it? But when your mind is full of all the prep you have done, it can be difficult not to want to share it all asap. Listen carefully to the question you are being asked and make sure you answer that, not the one you wanted to be asked. It is absolutely fine to ask for a question to be repeated, or for clarification. Again, better that you do that and answer the right question! Listening properly is crucial to looking (and being) engaged.

Active listening is crucial. It shows that you value what the interviewer is saying and are engaged in the conversation. Nod to show understanding, and don’t interrupt. If you need clarification, politely ask for it. When working with clients, those who listen well often respond more thoughtfully and effectively.

Remember - an interview is a two-way communication. The interviewer is there to get to know you, just like you're there to get to know them. Both of you have the same goal - to see whether you're the right fit for each other. So don't be passive. Listen actively to the interviewer and ask questions to clarify and deepen the subject. Use the interview to exchange your opinions, and approaches with the hiring manager. You likely share similar challenges, problems and ways of working. Relating to them is your opportunity to connect, and build a relationship but also to showcase your skills and genuine interest in the role. Aim to leave the interview feeling that you had a stimulating professional conversation.

Following up where possible is essential, but please keep it brief and personal. The mistake is using chatGPT and sending a lengthy, formal email. Instead, keep it short and easy to read, and for example, mention what resonated with you about the role or the interview.

Following up after your interview is a strategic move that reinforces your commitment and professionalism. Send a thoughtful email promptly to thank the interviewer for their time, reaffirm your enthusiasm for the opportunity, and briefly touch on a key takeaway from your discussion that resonated with you. This gesture not only shows appreciation but also keeps you at the forefront of the interviewer's considerations. Aim to send your email within 24 hours to underscore your proactive approach and maintain a positive impression.

Following up after an interview is a key step many overlook. Send a thank-you email within 24 hours, expressing gratitude for the opportunity and reiterating your interest in the position. Highlight something specific from the interview to personalize your message. From my experience, a well-crafted follow-up can reinforce your enthusiasm and professionalism.

To ace your job interview, avoid common mistakes by following these tips. Thorough research on the company is crucial. Understand their mission, values, products, and industry standing to tailor your responses and ask insightful questions. Dress appropriately, choosing an outfit that aligns with the company's culture while maintaining professionalism. Punctuality is key; aim to arrive 10-15 minutes early. Use confident body language, maintaining eye contact and sitting up straight. Listen actively, showing respect and ensuring you understand the questions. Finally, send a follow-up email within 24 hours to reinforce your interest and professionalism.

Always, Always, Always ask your interviewer when you can expect to hear back before dropping off the interview if they didn't tell you.

Prepare for behavioral questions by using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your answers. Practice your responses, but don’t memorize them; you want to sound natural, not rehearsed. Stay positive throughout the interview, even when discussing past challenges or failures. Show how you’ve learned and grown from those experiences. Lastly, bring extra copies of your resume, a notepad, and a pen to the interview. These small preparations can make a big difference.

Stand out in an interview by asking the right questions. Here’s how ⬇️ Limit to 2-3 questions unless the conversation flows naturally. Avoid asking about the next steps or if you got the job right away. Instead, show interest in the position and company. Respect the interviewer's time and avoid turning the interview into a reverse interview. Your questions should be open-ended but specific. Avoid vague questions like "What is your culture?" and don't ask about things you should have researched or confidential information.

Prepare Questions to ask: At the end of the interview, you will likely be asked if you have any questions, make sure to prepare thoughtful questions that demonstrate your interest in the role.