Read all of the information that is sent to you! Make sure you perform any work or research that is requested and complete any tests well in advance. Not reading the email you've been sent properly or checking attachments and links is a common mistake students and graduates make.
Make sure you are familiar with what we do and our latest company news. Find a product, service or technology we offer that you find interesting and can relate to and do your best to understand what it does and how it works.
A couple of hours solid research is the minimum you should do and if you genuinely cannot find anything that interests you in that time then you should probably consider whether you are applying to the right role or company for you. Any time spent researching in this way is time well spent which will give you greater confidence on the day. A lot of graduates do not do enough research on the companies they apply to, so if you have and can talk about it this will immediately impress any interviewer.
If your interview is in person plan your journey to make sure you arrive early and you are as relaxed (and unsweaty!) as you can be e.g. take a taxi rather than walk from the hotel or train station unless you know exactly where you are going. If you are travelling on the day make a note of alternative trains/driving routes in case there is a problem. We will understand if you are late due to unforeseen disruption as long as you inform us as early as possible.
If you are unwell or there is a personal emergency let us know as soon as you can. We would rather reschedule you to a later date than have you pull out or turn up distracted and not able to give your best.
We live in an increasingly digital age but print off everything you’ve been sent. Create a crib sheet with key facts/latest news, examples for the interview (to jog your memory of when you demonstrated certain strengths/skills) and any specific questions you have. If your interview is in-person write down or print off your travel plans e.g. train times, our company contact number and our address including postcode as your taxi driver might be relying on satnav or your phone may have no signal or run out of battery. Assume that everything that can go wrong will go wrong! Finally also print off a copy of the CV you sent when you made your application.
Always call or email us if something is unclear about the interview. We are more than happy to help.
If in doubt dress formally – we genuinely won't mind but it will make you feel more professional. However ties for instance are rarely required these days and if your interview is online you can always keep your slippers on!
Technical interviews can vary enormously based on the role but underpinning them all there are common questions we want answers to. As technical interviewers what are we looking for in prospective employees?
These ‘fundamentals’ may cover a range of STEM topics. A lot of the time demonstrating you have ‘knowledge’ is not as important as demonstrating your ability to gain knowledge. Can you see the connections between what we do and what you have learnt? If you can make these leaps then maybe you have the ability to make other leaps; to innovate and add value to what we do. The questions you ask us can also be important in giving us this insight.
In a professional environment, formal training forms are only a small part of your learning and development; much of the time you will not be fed information but need to go and find out the information for yourself. This starts at the application stage with doing your research on the company and the topics suggested in your invite. Again, asking questions on what you have read is a good way to demonstrate what you know and your interest in the subject. Once in the job, finding out information for yourself can be easier than it sounds, as you will be surrounded by experts on all kinds of subjects who share a common goal in moving the company forward. However it still takes self-motivation, and good communication and ‘people’ skills to do this.
Communication plays a huge role in day to day work life. You may complete a task to a high standard and in a logical way, but if you are not able to adequately communicate the steps you have taken and to summarise your findings, then others may not trust your results. You may be summarising your results to your supervisor who is very familiar with your subject matter, or to someone who may not be, such as a client or senior manager so being able to adapt and tailor your communication is also important. The technical interview is often an opportunity to demonstrate your ability to communicate a topic you know well such as a final project to an audience not familiar with your subject matter.
Teamwork is essential, so we will be keen to see if you will fit in with current employees. Even in a technical interview, if discussing a group project expect questions around what role you play in a team, your specific contribution; it is also likely you will get questions on how you and your supervisor worked together.
