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 think a nice open smile while looking them in the eyes can create a great first impression. Dressing in something that you are comfortable in and that looks good is a must. And do your hair and make up in a familiar go to style - no experimenting!!!

Have a bag in the car with spare tights etc.
Keep a neat folder for interviews with relevant documents in case you get called at short notice.
Make notes after each stage with names, key questions, anything you want to look up or check or act on later, such as feedback on your answers.
Thank interviewers for their time and be specific about how exactly you have demonstrated your suitability.

Definitely do your research and smile!

Smile, be enthusiastic and interested.

Do your research, know the company / organisation and try and find out who is on the panel and what their interests are (linked in is your friend).

Have a few STAR based scenarios prepared that you can use for the "give an example if an occasion when" type questions.

Be smart but comfortable. Dress a little smarter than you would need to be to do the job.

Know why you want the job and why you are a good candidate.

Be confident. Interviews are about demonstrating you are a good match for the job, but also finding out if the job is a good fit for you. You are making a judgement as well.

Ask questions. Try to get a feel for what doing the job will be like.

Be truthful.

Don't talk about T&Cs in the interview, but know what you want and be prepared to haggle if you get offered the job. You are in your strongest negotiating position at the point of offer.

Go to the toilet well in advance.
Smile, even if you don't feel confident-fake it until you make it

Make sure your partner/mum/friend can be your "backup" for childcare if your little one is in nursery or school. Peace of mind that you're not going to get a call that they've vommed/fallen over etc etc

Smile! Breathe! And be yourself!

Allow much more time than you think you'll need to get to the area of the interview, if there's going to be a traffic/transport problem it will be the day of your interview! Find somewhere quiet to relax and don't arrive at the interview too early. Be as perfectly groomed as you can be and appropriately dressed for the company so you feel really confident. Be nice to everyone you meet on site - the doorman, the receptionist, etc. you don't know who will see or overhear. Research the company thoroughly online so when asked why you want to work for them you can e.g. add on comments like you like their ethics policy, etc. Be yourself - and make sure you, and your CV, tell the truth!

I always wear bright colours in an interview - my favourite is a bright pink shift dress. One of the interviewers told me she smiled when i walked into the room because i seemed so bright and cheerful. Look at what other people wear - black dresses, grey suits, navy two pieces - so stand out. Look vibrant, look vital, look exciting. Who wouldn't want to give you the job?!

Above all, be confident, step up to the challenge, don't undersell yourself.

Know your stuff - particularly have a confident answer to any bits of the job description you don't quite match. "I would just need to read up on that" or "I haven't had experience of that situation but it would be similar to X where I..."

Look tidy and presentable - they will assume you are dressed in your idea of smart. Does not need to be power suit and stabby heels but could you go out to see a client in that outfit or similar?

I'd love to interview someone who was more interested in what they could offer to the company than what we could offer them.

Don't waffle on - if asked to say a bit about yourself, don't drone on for 15 minutes solid re-rehearsing your entire CV.

Not sure if any of these are very novel, but £300 would come in handy .
Have to confess I'd get my roots done but have never had a manicure in my life!

Find a mentor in your line of work who can give you tips on returning to work and help you set clear objectives on what you want to achieve. You also need someone just to vent too. I returned to work when dd was 4 months. I was often an exhausted wreck by 3PM which is coincidentally when a lot of meetings are held and I needed a 20 min power up. I wouldn't change it for the world though and I'm really proud of what we managed in my first 6 months back at work.

This is great timing for me.

I think having questions for that day questions moment or a reply to any weakness/ bad situation type questions.

I need an interview outfit and I know once get one i will feel more comfortable and confident.
Comfortable smart shoes.
And yes covering those greys will help me prepare!

Talk about all your experience and show them how passionate you are about doing this job.
Look the part.
Be on time.
I used to be the interviewer in two of my jobs.

Smile, try and keep relaxed and take some deep breaths. I know that when I'm nervous I tend to talk really fast so I try and be aware of that and consciously slow myself down.

Know where you're going with your examples, so if you're asked about a difficult situation know how you're going to end it, ideally not with "and after that they fired me...".

I think you need to dress so you feel confident and look professional but I don't think that means you need a manicure (unless you're going for a job in a nail bar).

Be prepared and get a good night sleep the night before.

Research the company and ask questions about something of interest.

Look up your interviewer on LinkedIn / Google and interview them.

Dress smartly

Smile, shake hands firmly. And if you he really nervous beforehand remind yourself that you are interviewing them too.

Allow plenty of time so not rushing to get there. Politely refuse any drink as one more thing to worry about and possibly spill/slurp!
Smile!

Research the company and prepare questions. Smile, give good eye contact and be polite

Suss out the interview location before- even do a practice run to get there. Makes the pre- interview time much less stressful than getting lost or (like I did once) arriving 90 mins early!!

Be friendly to EVERYONE you meet there. I worked for a guy once who asked for first impressions from his office staff every single time he recruited.

Do your background work on the company and job description beforehand and dress appropriately for the interview and job that its for.

Smile and be yourself. If they don't like you as you are the jobs not right for you

If you are asked " why do you want this job ? " , they are asking you why they should hire you over all the other applicants. So give answer that's about what you can offer the company, not what they can offer you .

So not

I'm looking for a job near home / near my kids school
You pay well and have good promotion opportunities
I hate my current boss
ive been made redundant
I've always wanted to work as an xxxx

But

I'm long for a job that give me an opportunity to do XXXX ( what it says on the job description ) because of my skills and experience in Yyyy and ZZZ ( what it says on the person specification ) .

Know the job spec and company inside out and know your own experience so that you can practice answers to most issues that might arise.
Wear something you feel comfortable and confident in.
Be friendly, smile and answer everything even if it means saying you don't know exactly but this is what you'd do in the situation etc.