Preparation is key! Do your research and empower yourself to be set up for success. Have a solid plan on how to approach your interview day.

Above anything else, be on time

For the love of commodity prices, this is the one thing you don’t want to get wrong. Confirm the date, time and place in advance. Plan your trip, know the route, and give yourself ample time for travel, parking/alighting public transport, and signing in to reception.

It is far better to allow for any potential delays, and arrive an hour early, than to be a minute late.

For video interviews, test the link and your connection a few days beforehand, as well as video quality, audio and speakers.

Personal presentation

Consider what you will wear in advance, including smart shoes. A well-fitted shirt/jumper and pants, or a nice dress is a good choice. Suits are okay, but you won’t need to dress up, unless of course this is for a senior position or you really want to!

Can you go pants-less in a zoom interview? Sure. Should you? Maybe not.

Ditch excessive jewelry or heavy make-up. Less is best.

Ensure your personal hygiene is top notch - shower, clean your face and brush your teeth. Wash and dry your hair, styling it neatly or tying it back. Trim and clean your nails, don’t have writing on your hands.

Your belongings and environment

Bring with you the absolute minimum - phone, keys and wallet. Avoid taking in a coffee, and most definitely don’t bring in any food. It’s okay to have a bottle of water.

For video interviews, choose a private space with no visual/noisy background distractions.

Knowledge is power

At the very least, thoroughly review the job advertisement, focusing on the role requirements and responsibilities. You should be able to communicate your suitability for the role, by identifying your applicable experience or interests. Researching the hiring company, their values and current operations will take you to the next level. It’s easy to tell when a candidate has prepared, or is feigning interest.

Anticipate and prepare

Look up common interview questions, such as “tell us a time when” or “how do you deal with…” and prepare some answers. Consider what skills and achievements you have listed in your application, and make sure you have some examples to share. If there is anything you want to know that you can’t find out from the company website or recruiter, there is often a chance to ask at the end of the interview so have some ready.