Share ‘nice ‘n easy’ ways to impress at job interviews - win £300 voucher! NOW CLOSED

[RebeccaEMumsnet]

Here at Mumsnet we’re really excited about our upcoming event – Workfest 2016, which is happening on 14th May 2016. Workfest is one-day conference aimed at women who are returning to work post maternity or after an extended career break. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear great speakers, gather tips on how to hone their CV from professionals, and get fired up about starting their own business.
nice ‘n easy is one of the sponsors of Workfest 2016, and to spread the positive energy about returning to work, they want to know what would your top tips be for making a good impression at a job interview?

Here’s what nice ‘n easy have to say: “Returning to work can be daunting and to come across as confident you need to feel your best. To boost your self-confidence start by picking an outfit you feel comfortable in, rather than something you have never worn or brand new shoes that may cause blisters. Indulge by pampering yourself, especially if it has worked in the past to maximize your positive energy: a manicure, a skin treatment, a specific haircut, your favourite nice ‘n easy hair colour. We at nice ‘n easy have a philosophy that you are at your best when your hair colour is ‘as real as you are’. Finally, avoid any jewellery that you may involuntarily play with, such as a long necklace, as this may be perceived as a sign of stress. You will have enough to think about during the interview so free up your mind from all of the above, so that you are not self-conscious or distracted during the discussion.”

So, what are your top tips for feeling confident and impressing at an interview? Do you like to perfect that firm handshake, think about your posture, or have a lucky charm? Perhaps you get crisp new haircut or invest in a new outfit? Do you practice your answers to standard interview questions (what’s your favourite biscuit?! ). Whatever you do, let nice ‘n easy know.

Please add your comment or tip below and you'll be entered into a prize draw where one MNer will win a £300 Love2Shop gift voucher.

Insight T & Cs Apply

Workfest 2016
Workfest 2016 Tickets

I always make sure to laugh during an interview (obviously not during a serious bit!) but I think it shows you're easy going, relaxed and a nice, open and fun person to have on the team. I've always felt that interviewers have warmed to me when I've laughed and shown them my real qualities, rather than the standard robotic answers.

I actually think you need to be memorable, but not in a bad way!
Smart but not dull.
Eye contact and friendly, but not over friendly.
Research, lots. You can't know too much about their company.
Think of questions before you go and take notes.
Try and think of a unique quality you can offer or bring to them.

Arrive early, dressed in something smart but comfortable.
Make eye contact but don't stare!
Know something about the company and job to show you're serious about applying.
Take time to think before you speak, and don't talk too fast (a bad habit I have when I'm nervous).
Have some questions ready.
Thank the interviewer/s for their time, with a handshake and a sincere smile.

Dear Nice n Easy
Would you give the same advice to a man re manicures, hair colour and jewellery. No, didn't think so.
Please don't patronise.
Thank you.
Ps thank god MNers have given proper, useful advice.
PPs I don't expect to win the Loveroshop vouchers.

Oh and Mumsnet, I fear you have sold out to the sponsors. I expected better than that bilge.

Research the company, know what you can bring to them. Really read and understand the job description. Treat everyone you meet with respect and openness. Sit up straight, make eye contact, and consider your responses.

Look at the job description, break it down into every requirement for the role, and find examples of how you have met each requirement. Write them down. Read your notes in and out of order, so that when you are asked how you would eg, deal with a situation, you can confidently recall a suitable example, rather than hem and go blank.

Listen to the interviewer/s questions carefully and maintain eye contact. I used to conduct lots of interviews and wasn't impressed by candidates who either talked over me, desperate to get their prepared answers out which didn't always address the question I raised, or who stared at their notes and didn't look at me.

Dress a bit smarter than you would expect to dress if you got the role. However always make sure you wear clothes / shoes which are comfortable. You want to feel as relaxed as possible.

Do your homework and be prepared. Research the company so that feel confident going into the interview.

Leave in plenty of time , know where you are going and dress smartly and appropriately for the job you are going for.

Be well groomed-good hair and nails-first impression do count especially when you are competing for something!

Smile-it helps you relax and everyone likes a friendly person, it is important to be professional but also good to let your personality shine through -qualifications and suitability for the job are very important but so is fitting in with the rest of the workforce and you want to come across as someone who they want to work with and be part of their team.

Don't get so lost in trying to impress that you forget to be yourself. I try and think of interviews as an opportunity for us all to see if me and the job are well suited. If the panel decide not, maybe that's for the best. That helps me relax and show my best self. Nice new shoes are also helpful!

research the company so you have as much knowledge as possible about the way they work & the way they like to be seen - you can use this knowledge in your interview answers to really impress them.

Always have questions to ask at the end, and not just 'when will I find out'. I recently did some interviews for a role where not one of the candidates had anything to say at the end, and it just looked really unimpressive. It's so easy to come up with something too.

Research...... There is loads of information out there. Use LinkedIn to get extra information. Prepare answers....
Dress to impress and be confident!!!

Fake it til you make it!

I'm far more confident in an interview than in real life.

This is your one chance to convince them that YOU, not a list of attributes on your CV, make you the best person for the job. Be confident, polite and interested. Look a little smarter than you would for the office. Be yourself... but your best self!

I have an interview mantra which is 'don't leave a stone unturned'. Show up early, research the company , look for news articles, practice common competency based interview questions, research the interview panel. And controversially , practice makes perfect so go to lots of interviews. I have about a 75% success rate in getting jobs and it's because I've had so many interviews over the years.

I must admit interviews can be daunting. I am a nurse (as you can probably guess from my username ) I find arranging to visit the prospective employers first as an informal visit which means you may get to meet some of the interview panel in their work toke which can make them feel less daunting.

I have found that getting there early so you are not flustered helps and having open body language. And best of all go in thinking that they aren't out to trip you up....the hardest part is getting to the interview stage this means they already want to employ you.

arrive at least 10 minutes early so you can be calm when going in, make sure that your phone is off. Research the company and the role that you have applied for.

Dress smartly, and try and think calmly so that you can answer questions clearly and maintain eye contact with your interviewer. If offered a drink, accept a glass of water so you can sip it if your mouth goes dry.

Wear clothes you feel good in, leave plenty of time so you are not late, think about questions in advance and smile/ be upbeat!

Always research the company and have some interesting questions prepared for the inevitable 'so do you have any questions for us?' moment. It's always good to show you've spend time doing your research.

Act like you have no worries in the world, and that the job is yours for the taking.

Abolish nerves by imagining the interviewers naked!

Smile and show a friendly demeanour.

Remind yourself that they personally picked you out of lots of applicants to be interviewed, as they liked what they saw!

Research the company and the role.

Admit it if you don't know something, don't lie!

Most interviewers are looking for a friendly person that will fit into the team, so robotic, yet correct, answers may not be the key to the job.

only go for interviews for jobs you really want. i always come accross badly when my hearts not100 percent in it

Take the time to pause and consider a difficult question. No one enjoys an awkward silence, but an interviewer would much rather see you think and answer carefully that gabble and blurt out an answer you don't believe in

Research the company and have a couple of questions prepared to make sure you look enthusiastic (and listen so you don't ask something they've already covered!)
Make sure you arrive in plenty time.

I'd say to be the most confident version of yourself that you can be. In an interview it is so easy to be nervous but that will leave the interviewers feeling uncomfortable too so be confident.

I think a new outfit would help boost the feel-good factor especially if you've been at home for a few years and your work suits look ancient!

Comfy shoes for getting to the interview.

There is nothing wrong with pausing before you answer or in stub king over your words. I'm not always the most fluent speaker but unlucky in that it doesn't make me embarrassed.

Trying to use fancy work jargon isn't a good idea. Speaking plainly is better.