How can you stand out during a job interview? If you want to get a job in London, then your first step is to stand out in the interview.
In London, first impressions are everything. British society is organised around customs and manners, so politeness, a sense of delicacy, and good grooming are everything. Even if you’re interviewing to be the floor manager of a slaughterhouse, you want to dress and speak in a sophisticated manner and with intention.
The job market doesn’t have to be intimidating, though. With these four tips, you’ll ace your upcoming London job interview.
Dress to Impress
It does matter how you look. Fortunately, it doesn’t matter how you physically look (or at least shouldn’t—it is, after all, illegal to discriminate based on looks). It’s not about your face, body type, or anything like that.
It does, however, matter how you groom, dress, and carry yourself. You don’t have to be dressed head-to-toe in designer fashion or look coiffed to the point of looking like a model. But the intention behind how you groom, dress, and carry yourself matters a great deal.
Showing your potential employers that you care enough to be perceived as mature and pleasant shows them how you’ll treat future clients.
This is a reminder that dressing well comes down to accessories, too. Don’t skimp on that iPhone 14 Pro Max case!
Research the Business (and the Industry)
This one should be an unspoken rule, but yes, you should know about the role you’re applying to, the company providing you with the interview opportunity, and the industry. When interviewing for a marketing job, you should know how to create a campaign, what styles and topics are trending, and how to strategise across platforms.
It’s also a good idea to know the state of the industry before you go for an interview. You wouldn’t want to imply massive growth in your industry when it’s in its third quarter of downsizing. You can always check the most recent UK job reports, which are freely available online.
Be Confident but not Arrogant.
Style and appearance take a backseat to attitude, possibly even to experience. Anyone would gladly rather work with an inexperienced slob than a well-dressed jerk. Even if you’ve been in your industry for years and know more than your interviewers seem to, a little humility goes a long way.
That said, confidence is also hugely important. The five dimensions of anxiety shown in interview performance are Communication, Appearance, Social, Performance, and Behaviour. Keep these indicators in mind as you prepare for your interview performance.
Ask Questions
A great way of showing humility, commitment, and a can-do attitude is to ask your interviewers questions. Before they open up the interview for your feedback and questions, follow up on their statements with knowledgeable questions. Show them that you won’t just sit at your desk and churn out tasks as they come to you. Instead, you’ll proactively seek out work and do it excellently.
Keep Calm and Carry On
If there’s one thing the British value, it’s keeping calm and carrying on. Remember to stay cool during your interview and show them what a pleasure it would be to work with you!
