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Research, research, research…

Whether it’s talking to people you know that work at the company or doing a search online, you’ll need to do your research if you want the interview to go well. Potential employers will be impressed if they can see you've done your homework. If possible, it’s also good to try and find some information on the people interviewing you, with LinkedIn a good place to look them up and see what their role in the company is.

If you aren't told who's going to interview you, you shouldn't be afraid to ask either your recruiter or the contact at the company who this is going to be.

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Prepare what you want to say and do in the interview

It’s perfectly normal for you to become nervous during an interview and forget some of your points, though this makes the preparation beforehand even more important. If you know the main things you want to tell the employer or recruiter in the interview then it will take away some of the stress on the day.

Key things to make sure you prepare include:

  • talking through your CV to make sure you're comfortable explaining your skills and experience
  • understanding the job description so you can answer any questions specifically about how you will fit the role
  • answers to typical interview questions
  • any technical equipment you might need, especially if it’s a video interview.

Preparing some questions that you want to ask in your interview is also a good way to impress the employer or recruiter. Check out the first Careers.govt.nz article below for some good tips.

If the role you’re applying for is Māori-related it may be necessary to prepare a short mihi (greeting speech). You might also be able to have your family there at the interview to support you. Some organisations’ may offer this to everyone regardless of whether they’re Māori or not.

Finally, think about how you are going to greet the employer in your interview. Body language is important, and starting confidently, for example with a strong handshake, is a good way to make you feel in control and come across as respectful.

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Dress for the occasion

There’s no doubt that first impressions do count, and you need to make sure you are correctly dressed for your interview. Dressing smartly will help show that you are serious about wanting to get the job and should impress the employer.

You might not need to go so far as to wear a suit, but unless it tells you differently in the job description, it’s best practice to turn up looking smart.

After the interview

You should be thinking about what you’re going to do after the interview before it has even begun. Doing something simple like sending the employer a thank you email the next day can help leave a good impression and help you get the job.

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Key websites

  • Careers.govt.nz: Careers.govt.nz has information on everything from how to apply for scholarships to writing CVs, helping you decide what career is right for you.

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