Basic interview tips you've probably never heard of

A morning interview will help you stay calm and confident (Stocksnap.io)

Follow these tips to ensure your next interview is a success.

You've already got the interview – great! That means your cover letter and CV stood from other candidates. Now it’s time to prepare for your interview. Unlike anything else you’ve read on the internet, these interview tips will set you apart and put you right where you need to be – on the path to securing that job.

1. Research what your interviewers read. You’re reading this article because you’ve already read what everyone else has to say about interviews – you want something more, something different. That’s why you should be reading what your interviewer is reading. Find out what they should look for in a candidate and why they should ask certain questions - you're looking for instructions specifically aimed at interviewers. It’s important that you get inside the mind of an interviewer to understand what’s really required.

2. Practice with a friend, but you should be the interviewer. Ask a friend, who is also in the job market, to practice with you. Take turns to play the interviewer and interviewee to better understand what is needed. You’ll be surprised how comfortable you become answering interview questions.

3. Know the questions that make you nervous. If you’re nervous about answering questions about salary or why you left your last job, for example, it’s important that you work out how to best answer it and then practice it out loud again and again until you’re no longer nervous about it.    

4. Morning interviews are often best. Most people fret about the interview all day if it’s in the afternoon. If you’re like most people, you’ll probably fret about the interview all day – making you increasingly nervous. A morning interview will help you stay calm and confident.

5. Know who your interviewer is. This question helps you figure out whether it’ll be a panel interview or you’ll be meeting with one or two people. It also gives you a chance to research your interviewers.

6. Forget letters of recommendation. While all your letters might look impressive to you, a conscientious interviewer will want to speak directly to your references and ask their own questions. Everyone knows letters of recommendation always only include good things – nothing critical, which is of little use to the interviewer. Only provide references and contact information if the interviewer asks.   

7. Don’t stress about the interview afterwards. You could drive yourself crazy thinking about everything you said, what you didn’t say, what you should’ve said… stop second guessing yourself and let things be. If you haven’t heard back from the interviewer in a week or two follow-up, but don’t dwell on it.

Once you're interview ready, keep in mind that Careers24 is home to thousands of job listings, and one of them could be your dream job. Simply start by uploading your CV in just a few easy steps.