The key to a great interview is preparation! Interviews can be nerve-wracking and daunting but, with the right preparation, you can overcome the challenges of even the toughest interview.

According to the many employers engaged with Curtin, one of the most important things you can do to prepare for an interview is to research the position and the company you are applying for. The company’s website can provide many important details, like their values and mission statement as well as the people who work for them. Knowing this information can help you can prepare to demonstrate your personal attributes that best align with theirs.

Researching the company can also help you prepare thoughtful, insightful, and relevant questions that will help demonstrate your interest and highlight your value. It will also help you showcase your work history and the skills you have gained from your experience in a way that shows how you will fit within their organisation.

How well prepared are you for the different types of questions you will be asked? What are your strongest skills? How do you manage your time? Where are your weaknesses? Do you work well in a team? Can you work autonomously? Each answer you give will make an impression of some kind and being prepared could be the difference between giving a strong, calculated and purposeful answer and giving a series of ‘ums’, ‘errs’, and ‘ahhs’!

Here are a few more tips to get you interview ready:

• It is imperative that you arrive on time, in fact aim to arrive ten minutes early. No excuse will undo that all important first impression.
• Know where to go and how to get there. Do a Google maps search first and account for things like roadworks and accidents. We can’t control unexpected delays, but we can plan for them.
• Dress for the position you are applying for. If in doubt, dress professionally. Present your best self. Take a walk past the workplace and note what people are wearing, getting this right will help towards that all important first impression.
• Take all documents, plus a pen and paper, into the interview. This includes a copy of your resume, cover letter and selection criteria, referee details, and the questions you have prepared – but be mindful not to ask anything that has already been covered in the interview.
• Know yourself and your abilities in detail. Know your strengths and be prepared to back up your skills and experience with examples. Be clear where your weaknesses are – nobody’s perfect – but self-understanding can help offset any shortfalls.
• Highlight your enthusiasm to learn anything that you may not have mastered yet. The next best thing to having a skillset or specific experience is being willing to gain it.

Don’t miss the online Graduate Gateway – Interviews on Wednesday 23 November. This workshop will provide practical tips to help you effectively prepare for an interview, build your confidence and maximise your chance of success!

Can’t make it next week? Book a spot anyway and we’ll send you a recording of the session afterwards.