There is often a misconception of interviews whereby people view it as a test where interviewers want to catch you out. Actually, it's quite the opposite! Your interviewer wants to see you and what you can do, they have no interest in catching you out. When preparing for your interview, it is natural to be nervous and your interviewer will understand that. A positive mindset can help interview nerves, alongside giving yourself enough travel time and preparing well. Sometimes even the people with the best CVs, most valuable experiences and most suitable skills miss out on a job due to lack of preparation.

Being prepared means researching the company, looking at frequently asked questions and planning your travel beforehand. This will make you feel more at ease, building your confidence in the information you have studied and knowing what could be required of you during the interview. Researching the company is highly recommended when preparing for interviews, with many businesses starting with the question ‘what do you know about us?’. The right preparation will really demonstrate your interest in the role, particularly when you gain a full understanding of the company’s values as a business. It's also a good idea to take some time to think about your strengths (and weaknesses. What skills make you stand out? What challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them?

We recommend you prepare 5-6 good quality questions and ask 3. This means that if a few of your questions have already been answered during the interview, you have a few to ask still.


Try to mentally and physically relax by getting some quality sleep and eating properly before your interview. When you have arrived at reception and you are waiting for your interviewer take some deep breaths to calm your nerves. 


As mentioned above, make sure you know the route, the time needed to get there and if there are any possible delays. Even if it’s a route you know well, looking at traffic updates and planning the duration of your journey will help to keep you calm. Getting to the interview 10 minutes early is recommended, that way you aren't so early that you put your interviewer out of their schedule, but you are still showing you're keen. Cutting it fine for time will add pressure and may affect your concentration during the interview.

If you get there too early, search for a nearby coffee shop. You can grab a coffee to relax and go over a few quick notes to recap your memory before the interview.

All the best for your interview from the team at Lighthouse Personnel Ltd!