If you prepare for your interview it will show the interviewers that you are motivated and positive, and it will help you feel less anxious.
Look at the information you have about the job and the company and do further research if necessary. Advice on this is given in the document on the right. Read your CV to remind you of the information you have given.
Take all the documents you need to the interview such as examination certificates, portfolio of work or record of achievement.
Make sure you know where you are going, when the interview is and how to get there. Aim to arrive about 10 minutes before the interview time, and have the name of the person you need to meet.
You need to look like you've made an effort, so your clothes should be clean, smart and simple.
You must spend some time thinking about the questions you might be asked and the answers you would give. Advice on this is given in one of the documents on the right and help can also be found at some of the websites we have linked to. You will also need to prepare questions of your own to ask the interviewers.
You can arrange to have a mock interview with the Library service's Jobseekers' Adviser. Please tel 0113 247 8282 to make an appointment.
During the interview
- Smile, make eye contact and shake hands with your interviewers. Use a clear and confident voice.
- Be polite, courteous and respectful.
- Sit up and appear interested, alert and enthusiastic.
- Be positive - you have been successful at getting an interview when others were not.
- Listen carefully to the questions and think before you answer.
- Use examples to justify all your points.
- Be positive. Don’t say unfavourable things about your current colleagues, boss or job.
- Ask for an explanation if you don’t understand a question and re-start an answer if you make a mistake.
- Be honest and consistent in your answers, and refer back to earlier questions if you need to re-use the same examples.
- If you are nervous, prepare some notes, and take them into the interview.
- If you're not asked about something that you feel is important, raise the subject yourself. This is your one chance to sell yourself, so don't waste the opportunity.
- Ask your prepared questions.
After the interview
At the end of the interview you should be given details of what will happen next. You should always get a date when you should hear the decision by.
Treat interviews as a learning process, since there are always things you can do to improve your performance.
Further help and advice
The Library's Jobseekers' Adviser holds sessions in the Central Library and selected community libraries. Telephone 0113 247 8282 to book your session.
You can search for helpful books on looking for work, CVs and interviews using the Library's catalogue at www.leeds.gov.uk/catalogue