Top Tips for Interviews.

Prepare yourself

• Prepare your clothes the day before so you know if there are any problems and you are not ironing your favourite top or shirt on the day of the interview. Try to do some light exercise in the morning before your interview if you have time. It may be worth getting up earlier on the day. Exercise helps to release endorphins and will help with any nerves.

Do your research about the company

• Read the ‘About’ section on the company website, keep up to date with their social media beforehand, and Google them for any recent news articles or awards that you can mention within the interview. Showing an interest in company culture and achievements will massively increase your chances of impressing the interviewer.

Online interviews

• If you are having an interview online, such us via Zoom or Microsoft Teams, consider your backdrop, try to choose somewhere not too cluttered so the interviewer can really focus on you. Make sure your face is clear to see, so avoid bright sunlight or dark shadows, and ensure you are well lit, ideally with daylight or a good task or ring light. 

• Before the meeting begins, get comfortable and have some water next to you as this will help if you get a dry throat when talking or need to calm down.

Look up the location

• If you are invited to attend an interview in a design studio or office, its worth looking up the details in advance.

• Allow time to find out where you will be going to at least 1 day before, exactly where you are going and the travel options. Check Google maps, TfL and other websites for updates. Also check the weather and ask about parking options and restrictions
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Print 2 copies of your Cv

• Take 2 copies of your CV with you to your interview, printed on good quality paper, as you can’t be sure if the interviewer will have it to hand. It is always good to have a clean crisp copy to give them in person. Do not rely purely on a digital version as this may not work if you need a Wi Fi connection.

Don’t be late

• If you are delayed then call, WhatsApp, email or text (communicate somehow) ahead to apologise. However, don’t go into detail about why, as this is irrelevant and will just be seen as too much information. The best way to avoid any issues is to allow enough time to arrive, at least 10 minutes before your meeting is due to start.

Have 4-5 questions to ask

• Prepare to ask thoughtful questions about the company, type of projects, workload, working hours, culture, role, position, responsibilities, benefits, parental support, staff outings, social activities, team structure and timescale to hear back. Here are a few examples:

• How often do you get together as a team to review projects and discuss what is happening in the business?

• What sort of training do you offer?

• What is the potential for career development and growth within the practice ?

• What is your strategy for dealing with the challenges of Brexit and how it impacts the practice? 

• Which design practices are your competitors and how do you stay ahead?

Follow up after your meeting

• Follow up after your meeting with a polite email or call to show your interest in the role and find out about the next steps.

• Feel free to contact us via email if you have any questions about the information above.

• info@designcareer.co.uk