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

Impress by knowing some things about the people who will be interviewing. You might have lots of things in common that will help your conversation.

This might sound obvious, but my tip is this:

Tell them you really want the job.

You'd be surprised at how effective that is. A lot of interviewees might be doing a few interviews to gauge the market or to tick a box, without any intention of taking the position. A honest, from the heart, statement about how much the role would mean to you will go in your favour.

Eat well (don't go on an empty stomach, you'll feel ill and your stomach may rumble. Pick something that won't get stuck in your teeth or smell).

Dress well –from your hair (shiny, groomed, clean) to your make-up (whatever makes you feel and look professional) and clothing (clean, ironed, appropriate) –make sure you have all these boxes ticked as first impressions are powerful for a reason.

Sell well – that is, sell yourself with confidence but not arrogance. Be informed, intelligent and interesting and make sure you listen well and answer with honesty.

Visualise yourself leaving the interview, having done all of the above. Do this the day/ night/ morning before the interview. Feel the emotion of having performed well and visualise yourself being offered the job!

-Prepare questions and answers
-Make eye contact
-Smile
-Breathe!

Make sure you really want the job and can show some passion for it - I think that really comes through in interview and is hard to fake! Research is key - so easy these days with Google. Worth having a look at the company appearing in the news if it's a large one (ore even in local news) if a smaller one though a google news search.

Read about company
Wear smart but comfortable clothes
And keep questions for interviewer ready to show interest in the position
And yes, take deep breaths before going in
nice n easy

Prepare some questions that you can ask about content/variety of work to show you're interested in and knowledgable about the type of work.

Don't be afraid to ask questions about things that are important to you, ie parking, overtime policies etc. There's no point taking a job which you're going to struggle to get to or do the hours expected. The interview is about whether you want the job as well as whether they want you.

Always take time to answer questions, even if you've already thought of the answer while they're asking the question. Even if you're a fast thinker, it will make you look like you've carefully considered the question rather than just jumping in immediately.

Researching the company, dressing nicely etc are all very much expected, but the one thing I would say to do is definitely ask questions.

It takes some guts, but I always ask the Interviewer if they have any doubts about me as I candidate. It shows that you have confidence in yourself and also gives you the chance to clear up any doubts they might have about you before you leave.

Ask them a question, especially about the role or working environment - you'll get more information and they won't be the awkward silence when they've finished asking you the questions.

Ask the interviewer about their own career at the company, they are usually very happy to talk about themselves and it takes up some of the time they could be asking you difficult questions! It should also give you a good picture of career progression opportunities at the firm.

Get a nice outfit. That can help you feel ten times confident. Practise questions at home. I get someone else to ask them to me so I can practise a response. Smile, and if it's somewhere you aren't familiar with a practise run to the interview so you know where your going and won't end up late is always a good idea. Make sure your phone is switched off

Prepare - have a mock interview, and practice answer questions out loud (so you can hear what your answers sound like).

Always have a good question or two to ask the panel so that you can show you have thought about the job.

Work out how you will sit so you don't wave your arms about, mess with your hair etc (in a nervous way that you probably won't even notice)

Take your time getting ready so you feel confident, talk yourself into thinking the outcome doesn't matter a huge deal and smile!

Smile. Be polite. Know what you're applying for!! And obviously be smart.

have good eye contact

Smile smile smile! Not like a loon obviously but who doesn't warm to someone smiling at them? I've always been complimented on my enthusiasm so showing you're passionate about the role makes people want to give you a chance to put that enthusiasm into practice.

Try and get a good nights sleep the night before. Give yourself plenty of time to get ready in the morning and plenty of time to get there, no rushing or stressing before an interview that way!

Take a deep breath, wear you best pair of shoes and go for it!

Find out the companies current values and mission statement and tell them why you want the job inline with these.
Be enthusiastic but honest, be prepared for the question 'what dont you like most about ....current job, this potential job', so you can have a decent answer prepared and not a negative one.
Most recruiters believe and are passionate about the company they are recruiting for (or their line managers will be in there whoa are expecting them to be ) so act the same, they will be flattered

Dress Practical
Be Polite and Professional

Always have an answer ready as to why you want the job, and what skills and qualities you have to make you the ideal person for the job. Try to anticipate what questions you will be asked and have answers prepared. If you have a person specification, have an example of something you have done which demonstrates you have the experience it is asking for. Try not to talk too fast. This often happens when you are feeling nervous. Ask how the job has come about. Remember a job interview is two way communication. In some cases you might realise you don't actually want the job when you're at the interview!

Find out as much as you can about the company and position before you go. Request an informal visit if possible. Take a moment to think about what you are being asked before jumping in with an answer and don't be afraid to ask the interviewers to repeat the question.

Ahead of time, research the company and write out half a page of bullet point notes with information such as when they were founded, who is in charge, how many people/sites they have, anything interesting that's happened to them recently, etc.

Then print the notes out and stick the piece of paper into a smart looking folder/pad that you can take with you. When you're sat waiting for your interviewer to arrive, read through the notes again and commit them to short term memory.

After introductions, the first question in every interview I've been to has been "So, what do you know about [insert company name here]?" Being able to confidently regurgitate a load of facts has never failed to impress!

My best tip would be to watch Amy Cuddy's TED talk on body language and then follow the advice. Definitely makes me feel more confident.

Relax its not the end of the world if you don't get it! the one job I should have easily got I completely blew the interview due to nerves. The following month I went for an interview which I had no experience in, at a higher grade than the previous one and was successful. I'd applied to practice my interview technique!