Do what you would tell your candidates to do. It amazes us how many experienced, successful recruiters get rejected because they don’t follow the advice they give out all the time to the people they work with.
This is Isn`t Tokyo Station
Check out the location. Don’t only trust Google Maps or Apple Maps. Find out what is nearby. Find the nearest train station exit and work out how to get there in plenty of time. Find a nearby café so you can kill time if you arrive early. If you are going to be late for some reason, call us so we can let the interviewer know.
Let’s study
Do your research on the company and the people you are going to be meeting. For recruitment companies, this is pretty easy as most of the information is out there on the internet. Check the roles they have up on the internet which are relevant to the role you are interviewing for
Your looking good
Dress professionally and nicely. Most of this time this means a recently pressed suit and tie. Be clean shaven, have your hair tied up etc. If you are a wolfman and have a five o’clock shadow before lunchtime and your interview is in the afternoon, take an electric razor and have a sneaky shave during the day in a convenience store bathroom.
Keep it clean
If you need to eat lunch before the interview, pick something that is not likely to end up all over your suit and tie. (We have had a candidate rejected because it looked like they used their tie to mop up the last of their butter chicken curry at lunchtime)
Mints
Have fresh breath. If you need to have a cigarette to calm the nerves before the interview, make sure you take some breath mints, and check your clothes don’t smell like you’ve just rocked up from an all-nighter down the pub.
Introduce yourself
Think about what you are going to say in your introduction. If need be, practice it in front of the mirror.
Silence is not Golden
Think of good questions to ask about the company and how you will fit in. “What time is lunch?” is not going to cut the mustard. Remember an interview is a two-way street. If you don’t ask good questions, they will think you are not interested Make the questions business relevant to this company and engage the interviewer so they are having to think to make a reply.
Why did I leave
They WILL ask you your reasons for leaving. A lot of recruiters fall into the trap of being too negative or vague here. Answer the questions clearly and turn it into a positive by focusing on the positive of why you want to join the new company.