How to ace a job interview

The more you prepare for a job interview, the calmer and more confident you will be, which is likely to increase your chances of being offered the job.

Doing research on the company and the people who will interview you, along with making sure you are ready to answer questions about your previous positions, can increase your chance of success, says Adi Steiner, researcher at the REDi Holbourne Group.

She advises:

• Make sure you understand the services and/or products the organisation offers and how it is structured;
• Look at your CV to ensure you can elaborate on it if asked;
• Confirm the date and time. If you are having a in-person interview, allow plenty of travel time. For online interviews, make sure you have back up if you lose power and the correct links to follow — Teams, Zoom or Google Meet;
• Do not speak negatively about present or past employers, managers or colleagues;
• Never lie about your experience, be honest throughout the recruitment process;
• Be on time — never late or so early that it's awkward;
• Do not interrupt or talk over members of the panel when they are speaking; 
• If asked if you have questions, ask some of the following:
• Is this an in-office, remote or hybrid position?
• What would I be expected to accomplish in my first year?
• What are the challenges my team or the company face?
• How would you describe the culture of the organisation? — Margaret Harris