It seems weird that I graduated three years ago. I’ve since bumbled my way through jobs enough to pick up a few tidbits which I thought were worth sharing. When City Calling got in touch to challenge me to jot down my interview tips it seemed pretty apt to share them with you all, considering I have just recently started a new job myself. City Calling are a website who offer jobs in construction, IT, retail… you name it, they got it! If you’re looking for employment in a specific category then websites like this are really valuable in your hunt.

I mentioned in my 2014 round up that towards the latter half of the year I took a massive leap of faith and quit my job as a photographer. A few months of searching and interviews later, and I’ve taken my tentative first steps into working in social media marketing, for the awesome folks at Noisy Little Monkey.

Looking for a new job is tiring, tough, and can be downright boring. Half the struggle is making your CV look perfect, writing out endless cover letters and perfecting that LinkedIn profile. Being rejected from places you have your heart set on can really knock your confidence, and so it’s even more important to really shine when you land yourself an interview. Based on my recent experiences, here are my top tips for that scary first meeting:

1. RELAX
I know this is easier said than done, but calm down. I get really anxious about stuff, and I’m one of those people who babbles when they’re nervous. I’ve often been known to say really inappropriate stuff to lighten the mood, on account of being terrified of the silence left between sentences. Be calm, collected, professional (I’m still working on this one), and most importantly, speak s l o w l y. Take your time to think about and answer the questions properly, don’t just say the first thing that pops into your head (like I do!)

2. Prepare
I think this is pretty much a given, but still a solid piece of advice for anyone who has recently graduated or is looking for their first proper job. This ain’t no Saturday job at Topshop – read up about the company: who they are, what they do, key people in the business (who are you likely to meet at the interview?), when they first started the company, a little brief history, how it relates to your experience and skills, and try to imagine a little bit about where the company is going, and how you can help get them there. It sounds like a lot of effort, but trust me, it’s worth it. Write down a list of possible questions they might ask you and try to answer each one honestly, positively, and to the point.

3. Be honest
Remember that episode of The Apprentice where that guy lied on his CV and got fired? It was super duper awkward. I don’t ever want to live through that, poor guy. Don’t make an idiot of yourself by lying about things which people can easily find out. Likewise, if they ask you a tricky question and you don’t know the answer, then just say so. Trust me, it’s a million times better – in the past I’ve made up answers to questions in the hope that I’ll get it right, but ended up sounding stupid. Just inform them that you’re not entirely sure how to do that thing, but have experience in this area which is similar/are a very fast learner/will Google it when you get home/will take evening classes to improve your skills (don’t actually say these last two).

Sheep… geddit?!

4. Be yourself
I think this one comes with a combination of the last three – if you’re calm enough, have got your questions and answers down to a T, and are answering the questions honestly and to the best of your ability, then your passion and enthusiasm for this job is bound to shine through. The company are obviously interested enough in you to invite you in for an interview, so really make the most of it – tell them why you’re interested in their company in the first place, and what makes you different from all the other people they’re likely to get through the door. Also, mention your hobbies! I wouldn’t have my current job if it weren’t for this blog, so be sure to put your passions on your CV.

5. Wear comfortable shoes
This is the most important one of all. When I went for the interview for my first job, I wore some smart heeled boots, which I hadn’t worn for at least a year. I had to walk all the way from Bath train station to the interview, which was a little under 2 miles. By the time I got there my feet were so ripped to shreds I couldn’t concentrate on the questions the chap was asking me. The moral of the story is make sure you’ve got a decent, well fitting, smart-ish pair of shoes which you can comfortably walk in – you don’t want to be going A over T when you walk into the interview room. Not cool. Likewise, wear something smart, but not restricting, and above all, comfortable.

What with the state of the economy and the government doing a fabulous job with youth unemployment at the moment, it can seem really impossible to try and get your foot in the door. Don’t lose faith – it took me ages to find the job that I’m currently in. I know it’s disheartening when there are so many people all going up for the same thing, but take a positive look at yourself, the skills you have to offer, and keep on trying.

Image credits:
1. Desk – Unsplash
2. ‘Relax’ – Nan Palmero
3. Hand & mouse – Unsplash
4. Sheep – Unsplash
5. Shoes – Unsplash

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