Interview Questions UK

No one expects you to turn up at an interview wearing a bowler hat and pin stripe suit (which is just as well, if you are a woman) but there are certain standards of dress that are appropriate at interviews and some definite ‘No Nos’.

First of all if you are a woman, then avoid turning up in a very low cut top with a skirt that is microscopic. Women interviewers may not be too impressed! A hint of cleavage is acceptable (you are not expected to turn up in sackcloth) but too much cleavage can simply make you look cheap.

You should also steer away from very dramatic outfits (whether you are male or female) and find a middle ground, whereby you look smart, but not over the top in terms of being a fashion victim.

If you are applying for a job in a factory or one where you are expected to dress casually, it is still appropriate to dress smart casual for the interview, so you may not need to wear a suit, but something that still shows you have made a bit of an effort.

Sometimes it is hard to know the dress code, but if you are with a recruitment agency, ask them what kind of dress code they think will be appropriate. If you aren’t with a recruitment agency, then research the company and see what their corporate style is and dress appropriately from there: ie if on their website everyone is very smartly dressed, then a suit might be in order, but if not, then just go for smart casual.

Whatever you wear for the interview, make sure that it is clean and that it is ironed or pressed. If you turn up wearing a creased shirt and a tie with egg stains on it, an employer will not take you seriously.  Clothes may only be window dressing for you, but you should use clothes to help show you off at your best!

Impressing an interviewing panel at interview is never easy. Sometimes you may think that you really impressed them, really charmed them, but then you find out that you dint get the job. Or you may find out that you get a job, even though you got the feeling that the interview panel were not all that impressed with you. So how do you actually impress people at an interview? Are there any golden rules that you should apply?

Well, there are a few rules that will certainly help you to succeed at impressing at an interview. First of all research the company or organisation that you will be working for. Then devise some questions to ask them, so that you can demonstrate that you are interested in the position.

Make sure that you research the job itself. Are there any questions that you could ask them about some details of the job, so that you really do act interested and are seen to be someone who is serious about taking on this job.

Make sure that your CV is up to date and where possible, try to make some reference to your CV when answering a question.

You should also ensure that you address all members of the interviewing panel. If you only address the ‘lead’ interviewer, then you will not impress the others on the panel, so keep establishing eye contact with all members.

Always, but always be diplomatic in your answers and never simply dismiss or rubbish a past employer.

Finally, it doesn’t matter if the interview is an informal interview with a recruitment agency, for a Saturday job or head of a multi-million pound firm. Treat all interviews as being important: don’t get too stressed by them, but remember that people are giving up their time to interview and as such you owe them courtesy and respect.

There is a certain etiquette surrounding interviews and whilst this may seem boring or old fashioned, much of the etiquette is actually based around sub-conscious messages that you send out to the interviewing panel, so ignore these interview tips at your peril.

Do be affirmative with the interviewing panel. Come in, establish eye contact, hold your head eye and when you shake hands make sure that your handshake is firm, not limp (but don’t crush the hand of the person that you are shaking hands with).

Don’t try to be too witty at interviews. Showing a sense of humour is fine, but if you try to make everyone laugh all the time, then you will simply come across as the office clown.

Don’t be too negative about past employers. Even if you left your last job because you hated your boss, don’t let this slip to the interviewing panel, be positive about all your past work settings and employers.

Do make an effort to get to the interview on time i.e. do not be late for the interview and also make an effort with your dress and attire. You don’t want to look like you are going out for a heavy night’s clubbing, but you also want to look just a little bit smarter than normal.

Do relax at interviews and be enthusiastic. Answer in proper sentences as you establish eye contact with the entire panel. Don’t just say Yes or No as answers, but try to excite them with your enthusiasm.

It doesn’t really matter if you are going for an interview with a recruitment agency or for a permanent position. Temping interviews are as important and should be viewed as such.

But if you follow the dos and don’ts of interview etiquette then that dream job should soon be yours and your career will never look back.