Creating a good impression in those first few moments during an interview can have a huge impact on how the rest of your interview goes.

At Supplytrain we help 100s of people every year to interview for entry-level roles, so thought we’d outline our top 5 tips to help you prepare for your next interview and keep those nerves under control…

You never get a second chance to make a first impression, so make it count!

1. Research the Company

You should always research the company by going online before your interview and googling the business to find out a bit more about what they do and why they do it. You can use this information in your interview to show you’re genuinely interested in working for the company and you understand their mission, ethos and values.

2. Re-read the job description

Dig out the link where you applied for the job and re-read the job description. Think about the transferable skills you have that relate to the tasks you’ll be expected to do in this role. This will help you showcase your suitability at interview.

3. Re-visit your CV and Cover Letter

Go back over your application and make sure you can talk about past experiences and how you think they will help you to be a great employee in the role.

4. Think positive

Believe it or not, thinking the interview will go well is actually more likely to help you get the job. Thinking positively will improve your posture, help you smile more, calm your nerves and allow you to give off a great vibe to the interviewers.

5. Be yourself

Lastly, the most important thing is for you to be yourself! Interviewers are looking for people that will fit into their current team, not necessarily the most confident in an interview. It is okay to be nervous or make mistakes, just try and show them who you are and that you want to make the most of the opportunity.

Bonus tips…

Your interview could either be a face-to-face interview or an online interview so it is good to know what is expected of you and how best to handle each different interview scenario.

Face To Face Interview

It is not good to turn up late, so make sure you know how you’ll get to the interview and what transport you might need to get there. Aim to get to the interview 10-15 minutes early, just in case there are any hold ups on the way.

Online Interview

As soon as the employer emails you a link to the online meeting, make sure you have access to the software and know how to use it. It is likely to be Microsoft Teams or Zoom, but both of these can be downloaded for free. If you don’t set things up ahead of time, you risk being late.