Prepare for your Interview!

• January 23, 2025

Put your interview nerves at ease and make sure you’re prepared. Our recruitment team have put together these top tips to help you get ready for your interview:

1. Research First City. Understand our history, mission, values, and recent achievements. This not only shows your genuine interest for the position, but it also helps us to know that you are committed to the role you applied for.
2. Understand the Role. Familiarise yourself with the job description and identify how your skills and experiences align with the position. Think about why you applied, why you want to join the health and social care industry and what it would mean to you to be offered the position.
3. Prepare Your Answers. Practice common interview questions and craft your responses. Be ready to discuss your strengths, weaknesses, and specific examples that highlight your abilities. An interview isn’t long, but it’s your first impression of and to an organisation, so we want to be able to get to know you as much as possible, don’t be shy it’s a time to brag about those transferrable skills and your experiences.
4. Dress Appropriately. Choose an outfit that fits the company’s culture and the role you’re applying for. When in doubt, it’s better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. Valuing the interview and turning up smartly dressed shows that you in turn, value the opportunity!
5. Mock Interviews. Conduct practice interviews with a friend or mentor to get comfortable with the format and receive feedback.
6. Prepare Questions. Have a written list of insightful questions ready to ask the interviewer. This shows your interest and helps you assess if the company is the right fit for you. We would rather you ask questions and be sure of the position and what it entails before you accept or decline any offer.
7. Know Your Resume. Be familiar with every detail on your CV and application form and be prepared to discuss any aspect of your experience. Your full work history needs to be completed, with any gaps explained on the application form to align with our compliance.
8. Plan Your Journey. Make sure you know the interview location and how to get there. Arrive early to avoid any last-minute stress.
9. Body Language. Maintain good eye contact, sit up straight, and offer a firm handshake. Positive body language can make a great first impression.
10. Be Prepared. Complete or familiarise yourself with the application form prior to attending, if you are unable to complete the form it’s always helpful to arrive early to complete one before the interview is due to start. Our interview process includes very strict referencing and applying for an enhanced DBS check, it is always beneficial to be prepared with accurate information for references (which will be discussed during the interview process) and to know where your proof of ID if you are successful to the next recruitment stage.

With thorough preparation and a positive attitude, you’ll be well on your way to making a strong impression. Our friendly recruitment team are always on hand should you have any questions before, during or after the interview stage. To summarise, the best advice we can offer is to prepare, not to worry about asking questions and let us get to know you and why you are passionate about the position you have applied for.

If you would like to contact our recruitment team about your interview or to apply for a position with First City or with any other questions please contact 01793 313044 / 01983 722896 or email recruitment@firstcitygroup.co.uk