Financial planning for an uncertain job market - part 5: How to impress at interview

That’s why this post is devoted entirely to giving you the toolkit to impress at your interview. You’ve already negotiated the fall-out of losing your job and the impact on family finances. You’ve learned how to hone the search for new opportunities, and perhaps investigated part-time positions too. More recently you’ve discovered how to write a stand-out CV, designed to capture even the most jaded hiring manager’s eye.

And now you're at the final hurdle of your job search: the interview. It’s your big chance to land that dream position, but the thought of stumbling over a difficult question or saying the wrong thing entirely is already making you panicky. Fear not – by following the advice below you’ll be prepared, polished, and poised. All the things needed to bowl over your potential employer.

• How can I prepare for the interview?
• How can I make the best first impression?
• How can I ace a preliminary interview over the phone?
• My interview is an online one – what difference does this make to my preparation?
• What questions can I expect and how should I prepare for them?
• What should I avoid in an interview?
• What should I do after my interview?

How can I prepare for the interview?

A good place to start is referring back to the original job description. Make sure the answers you’re already mentally preparing for the big day are aligned to the skills and competencies outlined in this document so you keep on topic. Think of examples you can use from previous jobs to illustrate how you’re already experienced in the duties they’ve described.

You should also do more research on the company itself. Their website and LinkedIn profiles are usually good sources of information on recent developments, future goals, what the work culture is like, and an idea of who’s running the show (i.e. company hierarchy). Make notes as you go along – this might spark ideas for questions you can ask at interview.

On a practical level, you’ll also want to plan your journey to the job interview. If you’re driving, find out about parking facilities beforehand and fill up with fuel the day before rather than risk getting your best suit dirty at the pump. You’ll also need to check travel reports before setting off. Better still, do a trial run of the route a few days prior to your interview so you get a feel for congestion and are aware of any road works. If you're using public transport, chances are you’ll have to factor in a walk at either or both ends of the trip, so be prepared for all weather eventualities. You don’t want to arrive looking like a drowned rat – or sweating as if you’ve just run a marathon.

Finally, don’t underestimate the value of a good night’s sleep beforehand to keep you mentally sharp and feeling on top of things. And pack your bag in advance too: a pen, notebook and several copies of your CV should be in there as standard.

How can I make the best first impression?

Let’s start with clothes – because dressing right is an easy way to impress and something you can prepare for well in advance. Choose something professional. For men, the obvious is a clean, ironed shirt, a modest tie, and suit trousers and jacket. Shoes should be polished and accessories (watch, belt, bag) should be conservative. When it comes to aftershave, less is best. As one career advice website puts it: “The last thing you want is to be remembered for your cologne and not your answers.”

For women, much of the same advice applies: choose businesslike trousers or a skirt, plus a clean, ironed blouse or shirt. Avoid deep necklines and keep makeup and jewellery low-key. As well as looking good, you’ll want to be comfortable, so towering heels or too-tight waistbands might be a no-go.

Body language is just as crucial to making a good first impression. Posture plays a big part in this so stand tall as you enter the room and sit up straight throughout the interview, which gives an air of confidence and professionalism. Maintain good eye contact when you’re being spoken to and avoid fidgeting.

Introductions can be the most nerve-wracking. Stick to a warm and friendly greeting, using a firm handshake and smile to explain who you are and why you’re here. Being courteous with the interview panel is obvious, but make sure this extends to every other staff member you meet while you’re in the building. A few months ago the Mirror reported how one hiring manager ruled out an interview candidate within the first five minutes for being dismissive to the receptionist – little realising the ‘receptionist’ was actually the chief financial officer and in charge of recruiting that day. Appreciate that every single person in the firm is valuable and worthy of respect.

How can I ace a preliminary interview over the phone?

Preliminary screening over the phone is fairly common if there’s a high volume of applications. But these can be tricky to navigate – without seeing your interviewer and how they respond to your answers with their body language it can be hard to feel connected or gauge how you’re doing.  

On the plus side, you can more easily refer to notes, so put some thought into compiling a list of pre-written questions or prompts and keep these close to hand. There are plenty of websites that suggest common phone interview questions, so it’s worth thinking about how you could respond to these. The obvious three are: “Tell me a bit about yourself”; “Why do you want the job?”; and “What experience can you bring to the role?”

It’s incredibly important that you’re heard clearly. Use a landline if possible to avoid dodgy mobile signal, turn off any distractions (TV, radio, email alerts, etc) and find a quiet room for the interview to take place. Always let the interviewer finish their sentence before jumping in with a response and try to sound as energetic and positive as possible. Smiling, even though they can’t see it, can subtly alter the tone of your voice to this end.

After the interview is over, send a brief email thanking the caller for their time and reiterating your interest in the role.

My interview is an online one – what difference does this make to my preparation?

The Covid-19 pandemic has made interviews using video conferencing software like Zoom and Microsoft Teams much more common. But each is slightly different, so even if you’re a pro on one it’s worth checking out any new (to you) platforms before signing in on the actual day. Test the software out by having video chats with friends and family first, so you get a good feel for all its capabilities. It’s a handy way of checking you have a stable internet connection too.

Other basic prep should include updating your computer with the latest version of Zoom etc prior to the interview, and making sure other members of your household are aware it’s taking place to give you peace and quiet. If you’ve pets, relegate them to another room. A kitten landing on your shoulder might be cute when you’re chatting to mates, but it’s likely to cause an unnecessary distraction when you’re trying to nail your dream job.

You should also think carefully about your background. Choose somewhere that’s free of clutter and tidy. A blank wall is best, or something that passes as professional-looking and gives the sense you’re well-organised. You’ll need good lighting too, so your interviewer can read your expressions and body language. Facing a window is a simple way to achieve this. As with a face-to-face interview, wear professional attire and try to keep good body language.

During the interview itself, silence your phone and turn off notifications on your computer. You’ll need to maintain your focus throughout, so setting the meeting to full screen should ensure you aren’t easily distracted. Don’t be afraid to use the mute button when others are talking (especially if there are noisy pets or children around at your end) and remember to look into the camera while speaking. Eye contact on video chat is tricky, but this at least creates the impression you’re not looking at yourself on the screen. Show you’re actively listening by nodding as they speak and asking questions based on what they’ve just said.

Finally, keep your device plugged in wherever possible (or make sure it’s fully charged beforehand), and don’t be tempted to conduct the interview on your phone unless you really have to. Laptops and computers are best because the camera is more stable and tends to give a clearer picture.

What questions can I expect and how should I prepare for them?

It’s impossible to predict for certain what your interviewer(s) will ask, but it’s worth preparing answers in advance to some of the ones that crop up time and again.

“Tell me about yourself” is pretty standard. Your response should ideally summarise your current position, then provide the most important and relevant highlights from your other professional experience that make you most qualified for the job. Some interviewers will follow this up by asking you to “describe yourself”, outline your greatest strengths, or to tell them what makes you the best fit for the role. Talk about how your qualities and characteristics are aligned to the role being advertised and use real-life examples of how you have used these attributes to make a positive difference in previous jobs.

You're very likely to be asked why you’ve applied for the job/why you want to leave your current position. For this, you’ll need a good recall of the job description to single out a few things you might particularly enjoy or excel at. When talking about reasons for leaving your last (or current) job, it’s never wise to dwell on the negatives. Instead, prepare a thoughtful answer that will persuade your prospective employer you’re not jumping into a job change without careful consideration, and explain what you hope to gain from the new opportunity in the future.

If you’re quizzed about your weaknesses, don’t do the lazy cliché of saying you’re a workaholic or perfectionist. Instead, identify a genuine area where you feel you haven’t performed as strongly as you’d like in the past, and outline the steps you’ve taken to improve. “I’m always looking to hone my presenting skills, and recently signed up for an online course in public speaking,” is a good way to put a positive spin on things. Not only will it show honesty and self-awareness, it also proves you’re committed to continuous personal/professional development.

You’ll find plenty more common interview questions online; practise as many as possible until you feel confident in your answers. The more you prepare, the better chance you have of presenting the very best version of yourself and your skills.

Finally, the interview is bound to end with an invitation to ask your own questions. Make sure you’ve prepared some in advance. Examples include asking about opportunities for growth and training, which shows you’re career orientated and keen to develop further in the role. Or you can find out about the nitty-gritty of the role by asking them to talk you through a typical day. You could also ask if the panel is concerned that anything is missing from your skill set/experience. It’s a chance to reassure them you can still do the job, or you can show willingness to plug the gap before starting the role with training to bring you up to speed.

Where you’re able to, it’s a good strategy to weave these questions as the interview is progressing, so the interview becomes more of a conversation. It also shows confidence and that you’re engaged in the whole process.

What should I avoid in an interview?

• Turning up late is never acceptable. If it’s unavoidable, for whatever reason, call your interviewer to let them know and give them your expected time of arrival.
• Even if the job is for something that doesn't typically require ‘office attire’ (bar work etc), always dress professionally for the interview itself. There’s no excuse for informality - or other inappropriate dressing.
• Don’t volunteer your weaknesses unless specifically asked to do so. Always focus on the positives and what contribution you can make to the company.
• Don’t criticise your current or previous employer. It’s likely to give the impression you’re difficult to work with.
• When invited to ask questions, don’t ask anything that’s already been answered during the course of the interview, or a question that can easily be answered by reading the company website, or searching Google.

What should I do after my interview?

It’s always good practice to follow up on your interview with an email thanking the hiring manager for their time. Try to do this within 24 hours of meeting, and keep the tone formal, even if you struck up a great rapport.  

Make sure the email is personalised (get the spelling of their name right - and check on LinkedIn if you’re not sure!) and try to pick out a specific detail of the role that you found especially interesting during the discussion. It will reassure the hiring manager that this isn’t a cut-and-paste message from a previous interview. End by restating your suitability for the role and check the whole email for spelling and grammar mistakes first before sending it. 

Don’t get too dejected if you don’t make the cut on your first, second, or even tenth interview. They’re all excellent practice at controlling nerves and fine-tuning your answers. In the meantime, continue looking for employment and, as ever, keep an eye on your finances. A good way to control spending and keep tabs on what’s going in and out of your bank account is to use an app. This lets you access the details of your bank account and complete transactions directly from your phone, tablet, or mobile device.

Alternatively, you could opt for a mobile-only or online-only bank account. Most also offer improved functions, such as real-time spending notifications direct to your phone, encouraging conscious spending and giving you a better idea of where your cash goes. There are also budgeting benefits, for example in the opportunity to create specific savings pots or set spending limits on certain purchases.

You can compare online-only bank accounts on our website to find one tailored to your needs. There’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to recommending the best so, just as we advised with preparing for interviews, do your research first.