Interviews are a crucial part of the hiring process. The employer is definitely interested in your skills and experience, so now is your chance to get through the final stage and secure that role as yours. We all know how important it is to impress, but what about the niggley little questions that aren’t covered as often? We answered some for you.

When should I arrive?

It’s pretty important to arrive before the time allocated for the interview. It shows you are organised and it allows the interview to start on time after the initial meeting and greeting. However, there is such a thing as being too early. You don’t want to come across as if you’re at a loose end or as if you weren’t really sure what time you were supposed to show up. If you arrive any more than 15 minutes early, which you may well do if you left yourself ample time to get there, wait in a coffee shop. Ideally, five to ten minutes early is appropriate.

Do I always need to wear a suit?

The short answer is no. What you wear will depend heavily on the role you are applying for and the company it is within. Creative agencies and tech companies often adopt a more relaxed dress code, and chances are all the staff will be in jeans. However, this doesn’t mean you should too as you still need to impress. If it is a more casual affair, it’s OK to leave the tie at home, but shoes and trousers are probably still wise. It’s always better to be too smart than too casual, even if you do stick out a bit. For more traditional roles, sticking to formal business dress is best unless you are advised otherwise.

What do I need to bring with me?

A copy of your resume is important just in case, as well as any other documents you may have sent over to the recruiter (application forms, covering letters and so on). It’s wise to bring these at the very least for your own reference. You should generally bring anything that will aid your application. This could be examples of work in a portfolio or your sales figures for the last six months. Be careful not to waft anything under the interviewer’s noses straight away – always wait until the appropriate point in the conversation to present any materials. A drink is always a good idea just in case you don’t get offered one and get dry mouth.

What do I need to find out beforehand?

First and foremost, the name of the person/people you are meeting is important. Make sure you enquire through your recruiter if the interviewer has not been in touch with you directly. As well as the other basics such as where the interview is held, a bit of company history is also very important. When it started, where they have offices and how large the organisation is are all good places to start, as well as who their major competitors are an what projects/initiatives they are working on at the moment.

What should I do when it’s over?

Once you’ve said your thank yous and good byes and arrived home, you should immediately send a follow up email. Nothing too probing, just a polite note to say thank you for meeting me and I look forward to hearing from you. This is quite vital for ensuring you stay fresh in the interviewers mind, as well as leaving a great lasting impression.