Preparing for the Big Day

Your first interview for your first proper job is here! Breaking down the runup to the interview into a series of manageable chunks and actions can really help a lot.

Quick grooming tips

For gentlemen:

• The clean-shaven look is always a safe bet. Get rid of stubble or wispy facial hair.

• Keep your hair neat and make sure that your fringe does not spill past your eyebrows. • Do not be afraid to accessorise! Go for a solid watch or a simple pair of cufflinks to complement your outfit. • Do not overdo the cologne and aftershave.

For ladies:

• Keep your nails in neutral or natural colours – glaring colours or designs may unnecessarily distract interviewers.

• Make sure to style your hair so that it stays in place and out of your face. • If you plan on wearing jewellery and make-up, keep things subtle and simple. You want your personality – not your accessories – to shine through!

Start by getting the dress code right

Prepare everything needed in advance

Objective: Figure how to look the part of an impressive candidate.

Objective: Have everything you need ready to go so you will not panic the next day.

Your interview is a chance to show how you would fit in, and this includes your appearance.

Look on the recruiter’s website for clues about what the staff at the organisation consider to be appropriate business wear and copy them. Err on the side of formality unless otherwise advised by your interviewers – it is always better to come overdressed instead of underdressed!

Your clothes should be clean, fitted and pressed. Be sure to cover up any tattoos. If you drink a lot of coffee or smoke, make sure your teeth are stain-free.

• Whether your interview will be in-person or over video call, hang your interview outfit out in the open so you will not have to stress out about what to wear.

• If you will be going for a face-to-face interview, do not forget to pick a handy, compartmentalised document bag or folder to store your stuff in as well! Be sure to organise everything for easy access. Prepare two additional printed copies of your resume on good, solid paper for additional interviewers who might show up unannounced, too. • When you have completed all that, get a good night’s sleep. You will want to be as sharp and alert as possible!

One week before The night before

Depart for your destination

Objective: Arrive at the interview venue with plenty of time to spare.

Traffic generally has a strange way of going against you when you need to get somewhere in a hurry.

Leave early to arrive at the location before your appointed time. Remember that when it comes to job interviews, arriving “on time” is tantamount to arriving late.

Introduce yourself to a stranger and break the ice

Objective: Get used to talking in your new surroundings by striking up a conversation with someone who works in the same company, but will not be interviewing you.

The first person you will encounter is likely to be the receptionist expecting your arrival. You may be asked to sign in before entering the visitors’ area.

Be friendly and appreciative of anyone you come into contact with, be it the cleaner or the CEO.

2 hours before 30 minutes before 20 minutes before

Arrive at the premises and get comfortable with your surroundings/Log onto the interview platform and get comfortable with the platform to be used

Objective: Decrease your initial stress and get into a positive frame of mind.

For a face-to-face interview, arriving a good 30 minutes before your appointment will afford enough time and space to draw breath and get to where you are supposed to be with the least amount of aggravation.

If your interview is set to take place virtually, get onto the chosen platform and familiarise yourself with it beforehand. After you have had a look at its features, practise how you would connect with your interviewer over the camera, such as making eye contact with the camera and speaking instead of only focusing on the video feed.

Now is not the time to fret about what you have remembered and how you will come across at the interview! Create a mental list of things you like so far about the company – it could be the colour of the carpet in the reception area (if it is a face-to-face interview), or what you have gathered about the company’s culture through its website (if your interview is virtual). Focus your mind on that – it will help calm you down.

Meet and greet the interviewers

Objective: From the very start, treat the interview as a meeting between two parties, not a one-way interrogation.

Objective: Use your innate skills and experience and put the know-how gained through this magazine and other sources to good effect.

There is usually a short explanation of how the interview will be structured. Commonly, the interviewers will begin with an overview of the company and the role you are being interviewed for.

This preamble is the most “non-judgemental” part of the interview, so enjoy it and take the opportunity to ask some smart questions.

Introductions are usually followed by the most time-consuming part of the interview: Questions to find out whether you can do the job and, just as importantly, whether you would have the motivation to do a good job. Finally, you will get the chance to ask your own questions.

You may also be given a short test to complete before or after the interview. This could be to establish the level of your skills pertinent to the job, or a more general evaluation of your preferred working style. Follow any instructions carefully, work out how much time to allot to each part of the test and focus your whole attention on the task.

If you are applying to a graduate scheme, the testing process might be more extensive and carried out separately, such as in an assessment centre (either inperson or virtually).