November 1, 2024

Your Guide to the Face-to-Face Interview

The face-to-face interview is your best chance to turn your impressive CV into a memorable personal connection. Unlike phone or video screens, this is where your body language, enthusiasm, and rapport-building skills come to the forefront.

Here's how to ensure you make the best possible impression and leave the interview room feeling confident.

1. Before You Go: Preparation is Power

A successful interview starts long before you walk through the door.

Deep Research: Go beyond the company website. Look up recent company news, press releases, and social media activity to demonstrate that your interest is current and genuine. If you know the interviewer's name, briefly check their professional background (like on LinkedIn).
Know Your CV: Be ready to elaborate on every point in your CV. You should have concise, impactful stories prepared for your key achievements.
Plan Your Logistics: Check the travel route the day before. Aim to arrive 10-15 minutes early. If you arrive significantly earlier, wait nearby (like a coffee shop) rather than walking in too soon.
Dress the Part: Choose professional attire that matches the company culture, erring on the side of slightly more formal. Your clothes should be clean, ironed, and comfortable.

2. What to Bring: The Interview Toolkit

Present your materials in a neat, professional folder or briefcase.

Item	Why It's Essential
Multiple CV Copies	In case you meet multiple interviewers or they don't have a copy handy.
Pen and Notepad	To jot down names, important details, and next steps. Taking notes shows engagement.
List of Questions	Have 3-5 thoughtful questions prepared to ask the interviewer.
List of References	Have a neatly typed list of professional references ready, just in case they ask.
Directions/ID	In case the building requires sign-in or your phone fails.
Water Bottle/Mints	To combat dry mouth, but skip the gum!

3. During the Interview: Connect and Converse

This is your time to shine. Focus on clear communication and genuine engagement.

Master the Opening and Closing

First Impressions: Greet the receptionist and any staff with respect—you are being evaluated from the moment you step inside. When you meet the interviewer, offer a firm handshake, make eye contact, and smile.
Body Language: Maintain good posture, lean slightly forward to show engagement, and try to avoid fidgeting. Use natural, open gestures.
The Close: When the interview wraps up, reiterate your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Ask about the next steps in the process and the expected timeline. Thank the interviewer by name.

Nail the Answers with STAR

Many questions will be behavioural (e.g., "Tell me about a time you had a conflict with a colleague"). Use the STAR Method to structure your responses for maximum impact:

S - Situation: Briefly set the scene or context.
T - Task: Describe your responsibility or the goal you had to achieve.
A - Action: Explain the specific steps you took. Use "I" not "we" to highlight your direct contribution.
R - Result: Detail the positive outcome of your actions, using quantifiable metrics (numbers, percentages) whenever possible.

4. After the Interview: Follow Up is Non-Negotiable

Your work isn't done when you leave the building.

Send a Thank-You Email: Send a polite, professional thank-you email to everyone you interviewed with within 24 hours.
Personalise It: Reference a specific point or topic you discussed during the interview to show you were listening and to make your email stand out. Reiterate your fit for the role and your excitement about the opportunity.

By approaching your face-to-face interview with thorough preparation, confident delivery, and thoughtful follow-up, you demonstrate the professionalism and attention to detail that hiring managers are looking for.

Meet Our Author

Darren Warmington

Managing Recruitment Consultant

01223 655278

support@recruiterweb.co.uk