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How can you be memorable in an interview when you’re competing with several other candidates, some of whom might be more experienced than you? It’s vital to remember that whilst experience is certainly useful, it’s not the only factor taken into consideration. In fact, if you rely solely on your experience, you’ll probably run into trouble in your job hunt!

‘How’s that?’ you ask?

Well, interviewers aren’t just looking for experienced candidates. They’re looking to hire people with bags of energy who will fit into the company and bring a positive dynamic to the team.

Read these interview tips to learn how to be an unforgettable candidate… for the right reasons!

1. Wear something eye-catching and memorable
2. Use the interviewer’s first name
3. Show your sense of humour
4. Use example-based answers
5. When they say ‘Tell me about yourself’, really tell them about yourself!
6. Engage the interviewer on a personal level
7. Talk about the company values
8. Take notes
9. Send a thank you message

10 original ways to stand out in an interview (even with no experience)

1. Wear something eye-catching

Wearing something eye-catching is a psychological way of sticking out to your interviewer, especially if they’re interviewing several candidates. Now, we’re not saying you should turn up wearing a bright orange suit (that would be overkill), but adding a pop of colour to your outfit can really make a difference. Gents, you can opt for a colourful tie. And ladies, how about a beautiful brooch?

2. Use the interviewer’s first name

Using first names is a powerful way of building a bond with someone you don’t know. Think about it; when you’re on the phone to customer service, isn’t it so much nicer when the person on the other end of the phone addresses you by your first name throughout the conversation? The same goes for interviews. Subtly use the interviewer’s first name throughout conversation to help yourself stand out.

3. Show your sense of humour

Whatever the situation, there’s always room for a bit of humour. Interviews can be a tense experience but humour is a great way of breaking down barriers and lightening the atmosphere. Being able to crack a joke in an interview will show the hiring manager that you’ve got great people skills too! Just remember not to be cheesy or inappropriate!

4. Use example-based answers

Example-based answers are the most powerful way of answering interview questions. Make sure you spend time preparing answers and thinking of examples to the most common interview questions before your interview. This is a vital step in acing your interview!

5. When they say ‘Tell me about yourself’, really tell them about yourself!

This question provides a golden opportunity for you to highlight the most interesting things about you. Granted, you don’t want this entire answer to be centred around your personal life, but definitely take advantage of this moment to point out a few intriguing things about yourself that they wouldn’t uncover in their ordinary interview questions.

6. Engage the interviewer on a personal level

As much as it’s important to be professional in an interview, it’s equally as important to find some common ground with your interviewer. It could be that you strike up a conversation about the hiring manager’s fancy shoes, or maybe you both love football. Pick up on these indicators and create a small conversation from them!

6. Talk about the company values

To really stand out in your interview, make sure you incorporate the company values into some of your answers. This will show the interview you’ve done your research and you’re serious about the opportunity.

7. Take notes

Throughout the interview, it’s good if you can note down any questions that arise or any important details about the role that are mentioned. You don’t want to spend too much time doing this as it’s more important to be engaged in what the interviewer is saying, but making a small note a few times throughout the interview shows you’re listening and a conscientious worker.

8. End on a positive note

Before you leave the interview room, be brave and take a moment to reiterate your interest in the position before leaving. This will be the very last thing the interviewer hears and remembers about you – so grasp this opportunity to leave a lasting impression!

9. Follow up with a thank you message

This one’s a goodie! Make sure you email your interviewer within 24 hours of the interview to thank them for their time and, again, gently reiterate your interest in working for them. Interviews are a two-way street, so it’s good to show the interviewer that you had a positive experience.

Ready, set, go

If you’re preparing for an interview, don’t forget to read our article on what to bring to an interview in the UK.

How can you stand out in an interview? You’ve done so well to get this far and now all that stands between you and your dream job is a round of questions! There’s no doubt that interviews are tough and research shows there are usually 6 people interviewing for any one position in the UK. So what can you do to make sure you’re the one who receives the job offer at the end of the process?

Take a good read of our carefully written interview advice to help secure your next role:

• Gather information
• Know your interviewers
• Research the company
• Practise the most common interview questions
• Study the job description
• Use open body language
• Answer interview questions with the STAR method
• Show enthusiasm

How do you nail an interview in 2021?

1. Gather information

Don’t go into your interview blind. See what you can find out about the interview before the day comes. Review any interview confirmation emails from the company for any clues, and be sure to ask the hiring manager what you should expect from the interview. They might be able to tell you the layout of the interview, whether there are any written or practical assessments, and how many interviewers will be there. 

Bonus Tip

You might be able to find some more hints by doing a quick Google search on the company’s interview process.

2. Know your interviewers

Do a little digging around your interviewers to make sure you have a good understanding of who they are. Use the company website and LinkedIn to learn about their roles within the company and their backgrounds. If you can incorporate this information into your interview, you’ll certainly impress the interviewers with your efforts!

3. Research the company

One of the most basic (but often overlooked) steps in the interview process is researching the company. You should know when the company was founded, who the CEO is, the company values, the products and services, and some of their notable achievements. 

4. Practise the most common interview questions

In the run-up to your interview, make a list of the most common interview questions and prepare example-based answers. Using real life examples makes your answers 10 times more powerful!

5. Study the job description

The job description is your biggest clue for the interview. Make sure you study it with a fine tooth comb and highlight all the key skills they’re looking for. Chances are the interview questions will be centred around the job description, so prepare examples that show you have the required skills/qualities.

6. Use open body language

Did you know that somewhere between 70-93% of all messages are conveyed nonverbally? That means the focus is not so much on what you say, but how you say it through the use of facial expressions, body language, eye contact and intonation. So make sure you stop fidgeting, and keep a smile on your face (even if you’re a nervous wreck on the inside!).

7. Answer interview questions with the STAR method

Knowing how to structure your interview answers is one of the most important parts of the interview. If you don’t pay attention to this, you run the risk of going off on a tangent and not even answering the question at hand. Instead, structure every answer using the STAR method to keep your answers crisp and clean!

How to use the STAR interview method:

• Scene: Set the scene by specifying your role at the time and when the event took place
• Task: Explain the task and end goal
• Action: Describe the steps you took and any problems you had to overcome
• Result: Close your answer by summarising the end result you achieved

8. Show enthusiasm

Enthusiasm is key. You can answer all the questions perfectly, but unless you’re showing enthusiasm for the role, you won’t leave a lasting impression. In fact, there are countless stories of employers hiring someone less experienced because they showed more enthusiasm for the role than someone with more experience but less enthusiasm. So remember to show your passion for the role, company, and their mission!

The key to interview success

Hopefully by now you’ll feel much more confident about conquering your next interview. Just remember all interview success begins long before you enter the interview room. So prepare yourself, practise, and bring high levels of confidence and energy to land your next role!

Looking for more interview tips? Find out exactly what you should bring to an interview to make sure you don’t miss a trick.

One of the most important parts of interview preparation is planning your answers to the most common interview questions. Nobody (apart from the interviewer) can say for sure which ones will come up in your interview, but chances are at least a handful of the below questions will make an appearance!

Join us today as we walk you through how to answer the most asked interview questions:

• Tell me about yourself
• Why do you want this job?
• What skills do you need to be successful in this role?
• When have you overcome a difficult situation in the workplace?
• What’s your weakest area?
• Why did you leave your last role?
• What are your salary expectations?
• What are your career aims?
• What sets you apart from other candidates?
• Do you have any questions for me?

Best interview questions to prepare for

1. Tell me about yourself

Most interviews start out with this classic question which gives you free reign to tell the interviewer the ‘best bits’ about you. Start by touching on your personal interests, family life and hobbies, before moving it over to an overview of your most relevant professional skills and experiences.

2. Why do you want this job?

Avoid talking about anything tedious like the location, perks or salary here. Focus your answer on the parts of the role that excite you most, including what you like about this specific company. This shows the interviewer you’re genuinely interested in the role and in working for them specifically.

3. What skills do you need to be successful in this role?

The great thing about this question is that the answer is already laid out in the job description. Highlight the key skills from the job description and go one step further by providing examples of when you’ve demonstrated these skills at work.

4. When have you overcome a difficult situation in the workplace?

Every job has its problems. The most important thing employers want to know is that you have the initiative and skills to work through them. Think of any problem you encountered at work, whether it be tackling a heavy workload, or dealing with unhappy customers, and explain how you overcame the problem and the end result. 

5. What’s your weakest area?

Everybody has weaknesses and it’s vital you’re able to recognise your own. Perhaps you struggle with organisation or time-keeping. The most important thing is explaining how you correct your weaknesses through the use of checklists or planners, for example. This shows the hiring manager you’ve got a good level of self-awareness and aren’t afraid to admit your flaws. 

6. Why did you leave your last role?

No matter how much you didn’t like your last employer, don’t use this question as an opportunity to badmouth them. Instead, focus your answer on more practical/professional reasons for leaving, such as wanting a new challenge or wanting to work for a more established company.

7. What are your career aims?

Hiring managers want to know you see this role as a long-term career opportunity. That doesn’t mean telling them you want to be promoted in 6 months time. It means explaining that you’re looking for a long-term career opportunity that offers opportunities to progress further down the line.

8. What are your salary expectations?

Salary questions can be tricky to manoeuvre. Avoid stating a specific figure. Instead, summarise your experience and the value you can bring, and that you’d expect to sit in the upper/lower part of the salary bracket based on your experience.

9. What sets you apart from other candidates?

There could very well be other candidates who are more skilled or experienced than you. But that doesn’t mean you won’t end up being the chosen candidate. Use this question as an opportunity to point out your strengths, particularly around mindset and your ability to learn new skills. Sometimes passion and a willingness to learn is more powerful than having the skill itself!

10. Do you have any questions for me?

This is a trick question and your answer should always be ‘YES!’. Make sure you prepare questions to ask the hiring manager at the end of the interview. It shows employers you’ve researched the opportunity and are serious about it. Avoid asking questions about break times and holidays. Instead, ask about the role, the training, and even what the hiring manager enjoys about working there.

The prep doesn’t stop there

Preparing answers to questions is half the battle. Now that you’ve nailed down your interview answers, don’t go in empty-handed. Learn about what to take to the interview to make sure you put your best foot forward.

So you’ve spent countless hours practising your interview answers, nailing your interview outfit and psyching yourself up … only to turn up to your interview empty-handed. Oops.

Let’s clarify one thing: no matter what job you’re going for, you should never turn up empty-handed. Got it? 

Great!

Now that we’ve straightened that out, let’s go over what to bring to an interview:

• Copies of your CV
• Identification
• Certificates
• Portfolio of work
• Folder
• Notepad and pens
• Questions for interviewer
• Contact details
• References
• High energy

What to bring to an interview in the UK

1. Copies of your CV

Always print out 3 copies of your CV: one for you, and one for each of the interviewers (if there are two). Chances are the interviewers will already have your CV to hand, but it’s good to be prepared, right? Save one copy for yourself so you can follow what the interviewers are referring to.

2. Identification

Make sure you carry a form of ID (in the UK, either a passport or driving licence will do) – you might need this to get into the building. The company may also want to offer you a job on the spot (wouldn’t that be nice?!) and take copies of your ID for HR purposes. In this case, it’s also a good idea to take your national insurance number or your proof of right to work in the UK.

3. Certificates

Does your job require a certain qualification? If so, it’s a good idea to carry the original certificates with you as the hiring manager may want to take copies! 

4. Portfolio of work

In some industries and professions, like Marketing or Design, it can be really useful to showcase some samples of your work. This is a great opportunity for you to impress the employer with your skills. Even if they don’t ask you to bring samples of your work, use your initiative to bring it along anyway – this will set you apart from the competition.

5. Folder

Imagine turning up with several documents in hand only to drop them all as you’re walking into the interview room. The hiring manager’s first impression of you is going to say clumsy and unorganised, right? Don’t make the experience more difficult for yourself than it needs to be. Place all your paperwork neatly into a folder to keep everything in place. It’s these simple steps that put your mind at ease and make the whole process run more smoothly!

6. Notepad and pens

These items are an absolute essential for any interview but many people make the mistake of thinking you can’t take notes into an interview. This is completely false! Don’t be afraid to take in a notepad and use it. Write down any important questions or details about the job in your notes to refer to later.

7. Questions for interviewer

Before your interview, think of a few questions to ask the employer about the role and company. Write these down in your notepad. If you get stage-fright and can’t remember your questions, you can always refer to them from your notepad!

8. Contact details

Have the employer contact details (names, phone number, address) handy before you set off for your interview. You might need them if you get lost and need to ask for directions, or you may need to tell reception who you’re here to see.

9. References

You don’t need to include your references on your CV, but just be prepared to provide them in your interview. This prevents the hiring process from being delayed and shows the employer that you’re organised.

Remember to ensure your references aren’t a relation. The most powerful references are from past employers. But if you don’t have one, use a teacher or lecturer from school, college or university who can vouch for your work ethic!

10. High energy

As important as it is to bring the right items to the interview, nothing is more important or powerful than the energy you bring. So remember to bring confidence, a smile and positivity into that interview room. 

Preparation is key!

You want the hiring process to move as quickly as possible, so just remember that anything you don’t take could delay the process. You should always attend an interview with at least a few of these items in your bag. Pack them up the night before so you’ve one less thing to worry about in the morning!

If you’ve got an upcoming interview, make sure you don’t miss our post on how to be successful in an interview!

So you bagged an interview and now you’re wondering exactly what it takes to be successful and land a new role? Well, don’t panic – you’ve come to the right place, my friend. Interviews are a competitive and nerve-wracking experience, but the good news is that you’re already waaay ahead of the competition simply by showing up to read this article today.

Read on to check out our top tips for interview success.

• Practise interview questions
• Prepare questions for the interviewer
• Don’t go empty-handed
• Be punctual
• Dress smartly
• Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills
• Be authentically you
• Follow up

How do you pass a job interview successfully?

1. Practise interview questions

One of the most beneficial things you can do in preparation for your big day is to practise! Make a list of some of the most common interview questions and map out your answers. When you start out, it won’t be perfect. It may even be messy – but this is all part of the preparation process!

2. Prepare questions for the interviewer

Employers love when candidates ask intelligent questions. It shows you’ve done your research and you’re genuinely interested in working for the company. Be sure to ask questions about the role itself, the training, and the company culture and mission. Try to steer clear of asking more tedious questions about lunch breaks and annual leave…you can address these later down the line.

Example questions to ask employers in an interview:

• What do you like about working here?
• What is the company culture like?
• Tell me more about what the training entails.
• What are the company’s plans for growth over the next 5 years?
• What opportunities are there for progression further down the line?

3. Don’t go empty-handed

Make sure you prepare your bag the night before your interview. Is there anything specific they’ve asked you to bring? We’d suggest taking a copy of your CV, a notepad, a pen, your identification, relevant certificates and any samples of your work.

If you’re still unsure of what to take in, don’t worry – we’ve got you covered with our comprehensive list of what to bring to an interview.

4. Be punctual

Arriving late is the biggest faux-pas to an interview. This could really hinder your chances of success. In the days before your interview, find out exactly where the location is and how you’ll get there. Arrive 15 minutes early (but not earlier) so you can use the restroom and complete any forms.

5. Dress smartly

First impressions count so put your best foot forward by dressing the part. Make sure your hair is neat, you’re dressed formally, and all your clothes are clean and ironed. 

6. Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills

Employers don’t just hire people based on your experience alone. They also make hires based on how well they think you’ll fit in with the company and get along with others. Once you’re in the interview room, it’s time to demonstrate your interpersonal skills and build rapport. Aim to elevate the atmosphere in the room with your personality by using open and engaging body language, talking with your hands, smiling, and varying the intonation of your voice.

7. Be authentically you

The most important part of the interview is to make sure you stay true to yourself. Avoid saying answers you THINK the interviewer wants to hear. If you don’t know the answer to a question or it’s an area you’re lacking experience in, employers will respect you so much more for being honest about that.

8. Follow up

Always follow up your interviews within 24 hours with an email to thank the hiring manager for their time and to reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. This will set you apart from the competition and leave a lasting impression. If you don’t hear back after a week, don’t be shy to give the interviewer a call to check up on the progress.

Ready to shine?

It’s perfectly normal to feel nervous, but you’ll be surprised by how much these steps will boost your confidence. Just remember to start prepping in advance and to be yourself!

If you’re hungry for more tips, check out more of our interview secrets.