So, here we are.  You have gone through the application phase, arranged the interview, you have dressed yourself up to look the absolute business.  It’s time to put it all together and go for the interview. This is the real nitty-gritty now, no second chances, you simply have to perform if you want the job.

How To Interview

It is a great buzz to be called for an interview, and you will obviously be excited by the prospect.  Unfortunately, yet another word of warning.  Despite being excited about the interview, try NOT to be the first person interviewed.  Research from America suggests that the first person interviewed is some three times less likely to get the job!

That really is stacking the odds against you.  Now, I’m not sure that applies so much to the U.K, but it is certainly food for thought.  The logic is simple.  A prospective employer will not want to take on the first person he sees.  He will always want someone to compare you to, so try not to be first through the door.  The other thing to take into consideration is that, the person who leaves the more lasting impression in the interviewers’ mind will be the candidate he most recently interviewed. I know it’s not fair, but then life rarely is.  This information at least makes you aware of the situation, so you can now use this to your advantage.

The Interview – Timing

Some people feel the time of an interview is important, but I have to say that I believe this to be less so nowadays.  Some older research suggests avoiding Mondays, and Fridays, and early mornings and late afternoons.  Again, the logic is Monday is always busy, Friday it’s the weekend, early morning is planning time and late afternoon is getting on for home time.  However, I believe business has become much more flexible in recent years and some executives prefer a breakfast interview to leave their days free.  Some interviewers prefer late afternoon so that candidates do not have to take time out of work. So, best advice here is, that as long as you are happy with the time, go along with what the company request.  If the interviewer shows any unease at all about a given time, make other arrangements.