I had an interview yesterday. I was a little nervous but that’s normal. I checked the time and I located the office on a google map. So I was all set, except for the waiting to catch the bus into town. While I waited I thought I’d jot down my top tips for preparing for interview. Play to my strengths … Time was if I got the interview, I got the job. In the current climate - well we all need an edge, here’s how I plan to get mine. I hope it helps you get yours … Good luck.

10 Tips for preparing for a job interview | giving yourself the best chance to excel

1. First off, acknowledge your invitation, it’s a small thing but it costs nothing to be polite, and if they haven’t told you who will be interviewing you - it’s worth asking.
2. Google your interview panel and check if they have a LinkedIn profile. You’ll get plenty of insight into their background and how you might be connected. I don’t name drop or over work the connections in an interview I think it comes over as pushy - but I know really slick sales people who do leverage their connections.
3. Research the company, they will expect you to know what they do, and you’ll find most of what you need on their website. Google them for up-to-date news and set up a google alert. I also check their social network presence too. Search them out on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. That way you’ll find out what they’re talking about, what’s important to them and what is being said about them.
4. Use your network to find out information, and get a feel for the company, you’re bound to know someone with some intel!
5. If you have a presentation to put together now you’ll be ready with the information you need.
6. Go through the Job Description and Person Specification and think up questions that they might ask that will help them understand if you can deliver on the job’s objectives.
7. Now go through your personal achievements and identify your strongest. Turn these into mini case studies that demonstrate your key strengths, skills, experience that you have identified they will need to fill the post. You will feel more confident and sound much more assured if you have these front of mind. Remember - what were the successful outcomes?
8. Choose a comfortable and smart outfit to wear. Clean, neat and pressed is almost always the best option.
9. Collect together any presentation, information, examples of your work, qualification certificates and proof of right to work in the UK you need to take the night before. On the day your aim is for a stress free run-up to your moment.
10. On the day, focus on your strengths in the shower. Face into the questions you are not looking forward to and reassure yourself that you have an answer prepared.

Finally, I have a trick that works really well for me. I think about the qualities I need to do well to land the role, and the friends I have who have those qualities in abundance and I create a virtual team that I take with me to the interview.

How would my friend who can create fantastic content on any subject, in minutes handle that question? What about the 30 ideas a second mate who has more useable solutions pop into her head while she’s pulling on her tights in the morning than most people manage in a month of brainstorming? Then there’s the brilliant editor, the amazing networker, the gifted designer, and the scarily organised procurement Director. I’ve learnt from working alongside them and admiring them and I can take that into the room with me.

Oh I do get into some visualisation and tailored affirmation on the day too - but that’s a bit bibbety bobbety for most people.

If you do nothing else - look at yourself in the mirror and list your strengths. You’re brilliant and the job’s yours. Now go and get it! Best of luck.