Our top tips on preparing for your interview at Lifeways

Whilst most people think of an interview as a way for a recruiter to see if you’re right for
them, it’s also an opportunity for you to see whether the role is right for you. And with the
right level of preparation beforehand, you’ll go into your interview feeling ready and more
confident.

Here, Lifeways Recruitment Coordinator Clare Casey shares her ten top tips to a successful
interview with the UK’s largest team of supported living professionals.

"Preparation is key,” says Clare. “When I’m interviewing a candidate, I can tell if the person
I’m interviewing has prepared and done their research. This can make a difference between
hiring them or not.”

Here are Clare’s top tips:

1. Read the interview confirmation carefully and prepare anything in advance thatyou need to take with you, such as a form of identity like your driving licence orpassport. Make sure you know the interviewer's name so you know who you’re asking for when you arrive, and so you can address them properly when you meet them.
2. Print a copy of your most up-to-date CV - you’ll likely be asked specific questions about your employment or education history in your interview, so it’s useful to have your CV in front of you to confirm any dates or specific information.
3. Contact the hiring manager beforehand if you have any questions - they’ll be happy to clarify any queries you might have.
4. Plan out your travel in advance so that on the day, you arrive at the interview with time to spare. If you’re driving, plan your route and find an appropriate place to park, or if you’re taking public transport, make sure to allow enough time for any delays.
5. Re-read the job description and advert, to make sure you are fully aware of the details of the job you’re interviewing for. Make sure you’ve thought about how your current skills and experience match up to the job description, and how they’ll help you to bring valuable expertise to the role.
6. Take some time to learn about Lifeways - have a browse of our website and make yourself familiar with the support we provide, along with our company values. Researching the company is always a good opportunity to find any questions you might have for the person interviewing you.
7. Write down any questions you’d like to ask so you have these to hand. You might want to know more about what the role entails, what training will be provided, and if there are career progression opportunities available.
8. If you can’t attend the interview or are running late, let us know. Whether you’ve changed your mind about the position or there’s been an emergency, it’s always best to get in touch.
9. Have a think about where you’d like to be in five year’s time - interviewers will often ask if you have any future career goals. Would you like to have progressed in your role, taken on more responsibility, or learnt new skills? Note down any questions you have about career development to ask at the end.

What happens if my interview is virtual?

With all that said, your interview could be conducted virtually. Although much of the above is still extremely important and relevant, there are a number of factors you might want to consider when it comes to a virtual interview.

Perhaps one of the most important things to consider is your technology. Make sure you’ve checked the video link is working in advance, that your camera and speakers are set up and that you’ve fully charged the device that you’re using.

It’s also important to consider your environment. Finding a quiet space to sit during your interview is key to ensuring that you can both hear your interviewer, and they can hear you too.

Lifeways online interviews are conducted via Microsoft Teams. It's important to familiarise yourself with the video platform, and check that you’ve received the link to your video interview and confirmed your attendance.

Although your interview is virtual, it’s still important to ensure you’re well-presented. You want your interviewer to see that you’re serious about the position you’re going for, so it’s best to dress as if you were attending in person.

More importantly, remember to relax, be yourself and remember that everyone gets nervous - it just shows that you care.

“Being your natural self as much as possible will make you more relaxed and come across better. It’s also good to show that you are interested in working for the company." says Matthew Scott, Regional Recruitment Coordinator for Lifeways.

If you have an upcoming interview, we wish you the best of luck. If you’re interested in joining Lifeways, head over to our careers page to learn more and browse our current vacancies.