You have wowed and impressed them with your CV and application, maybe even a showreel too, but the next big test before you get that job is the interview. Here are some top tips on how to make sure you are fully prepared, together with an important checklist at the end.
CV and Documents
Print off copies of your CV for the interviewers, who are normally very busy and may not have had the chance to print your CV. This way you help them and gain points immediately. Underline the most relevant skills and experience in your own CV copy. Take a copy of the job advertisement and your application letter in order to cross check the key points. Take copies of your reference letters.
Research
You most likely did your research on the company before applying because you got this far. Now it’s time to show that you have researched the company even more. Ask questions about their competitors, where the company is going etc. Take a printout of the company website’s landing page and make your notes there. This shows that you are interested and it makes it easier for you to remember things like last production, the type of production the company is specialised in etc.
Dress Code
Be tidy and smart. Make sure that you are comfortable in your outfit. Ladies, remember that a skirt should reach your knees and no cleavage/bra straps should be seen. Rather smart than sexy for an interview.
Nutrition
Make sure that you have a bottle of water, snack to avoid low sugar and mints for fresh breath. Avoid eating anything messy on the way to the interview. If you are a smoker, try not to smoke just before the interview.
Mobile Phone
When entering the building turn you mobile silent and turn it off completely before the interview. If your mobile rings or buzzes during the interview, express you deepest apologies and whatever you do, do not even look who is phoning/messaging but turn the phone off and hope for the best. Having your mobile making any noise just before/during the interview is as bad as being late. Do not risk it!
Get there on time
You can borrow a pen, the documents can be sent afterwards and you can improvise some questions. What you can’t make up nor be forgiven for is being late. So don’t do it! Don’t be late! Make sure you get your route sorted in plenty of time. We all love the help of different apps from GPS to timetables in our smartphones. Make sure that yours is fully charged and that you have a back up plan: map, timetable, contact detail printouts, booking reference numbers for your train tickets etc. If you use public transport, do pick the tickets up in advance. Drivers please make a note of the nearest parking and make sure you that you have enough coins on you. Always plan for an extra half hour for traffic and delays.
First impression
You only have three seconds to impress. Remember that one of the interviewers may be the person walking up the steps in front of you, do not use your phone before or after the interview near the interview room, let alone in the building. Remember that many interviewers ask the receptionist or a cleaner for their opinion on you. Be nice to everyone and look confident. Memorising the name of the person you are going to meet helps.
Strengths and weaknesses
Be prepared to list not only your strengths but also your weaknesses. You can try to get away with giving weaknesses such as coffee and chocolate but you must come up with at least two weaknesses, that can be turned into strengths such as: being hard on yourself, being very precise.
How to answer questions
Keep it simple. Answer the question and do not go off on a tangent telling stories. Listen! If the interviewer mentions that the production company uses Panasonic cameras and you are applying for a camera assistant role, remember to underline your experience using Panasonic cameras rather than the JVC ones. If you are applying for an assistant producer role and you have previous experience, you don’t have to talk about your runner experience anymore.
Transferable skills
Transferable skills are the ones that you have gained in other type of work or in life in general. If you apply for a junior researcher position in an international production company, any experience using your language skills is useful as well as any type of research experience.
Your questions
Be prepared to ask questions. Who do you report to? Who are the people in my team? What is the future direction of the company? What would be expected of you in the first few months? Etc
Good luck, relax and smile!
Check list for the day before:
- CV copies
- Copy of the job advert
- Copy of your application letter
- Copy of the company website landing page
- Pen (pay attention to which pen…if you go for an interview with the BBC, a C4 pen may not be the best choice)
- Notepad (make sure your notes from a previous interview with another company are not visible)
- Folder (organised people don’t waste other peoples time and have more time to do their job)
- Tickets/parking coins/map/route plan
- Contact details
- Do not drink/eat anything that might smell the next day
- Hair, nails, outfit, accessories
- Good night’s sleep