​This article orignally appeared on LinkedIn

Preparing for a job interview can be a daunting task, especially if it’s your first ‘proper’ interview or you have not interviewed in a long time. It’s something that we must all do, so it’s time to stand out from the rest. Here are four tips to help you land that perfect job…

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Know what type of interview you are attending:

There are many types of interviews; telephone, skype, formal, informal, technical and competency based to list a few. To successfully prepare, you need to find out as much information about your upcoming interview as you can. A few key questions to ask are:

• Who will I be meeting? (an interview with a member of HR will be different to an interview with a line manager).
• How long can I expect the interview to last?
• What will be the structure/format of the interview?
• Is there any testing involved – if so what type?

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Ensure your preparation is thorough:

Your preparation should cover a few key areas:

• Know your CV – This seems like a simple statement, but you would be surprised by how many candidates overlook the importance of being able to talk through their CV with confidence. You should know your CV inside out. Be prepared to talk through your experience and any skills that you have developed in a concise but informative way. Always have a hard copy printed to take with you.

• The company – Understanding the company, using their website, can be a great foundation to your preparation. It is also useful to go online and look at any recent awards, or press releases, about the company that you are interviewing with; to ensure that you can demonstrate a genuine interest in the company and role. Check LinkedIn and highlight any recent news the company has released publicly. You should be able to differentiate why you are interested in this company versus their competitors.

• Structure your answers: Before you answer, make sure you listen to the question! It is important to prepare your answers and that you always provide an example when you are referencing a skill that you have; this is to give yourself credibility. Try not to sound rehearsed. Just make sure that your answers are considered and answer the question that was asked.

• Questions – Have questions about the opportunity prepared; this can range from questions about the day to day aspects of the role to questions about the longer-term growth or progression of the company, and how that will affect you should you be successful. Be clear that this is an opportunity you want to progress with, before you end the interview.

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Plan your route:

• Know what office your interview is being held at if the company you are interviewing with has more than one location.



• Plan your route to the office and have a backup route should there be any unexpected delays.

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Finally - Rest!

• Once you have completed your interview preparation ensure that you get a good night’s rest and, most importantly, set your alarm!

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If you would like to have a confidential discussion about exploring a new Paralegal opportunity within Private Practice, please contact me on 0207 002 0109 or send an email to deeameyaw@hydrogengroup.com