Congratulations! You did it, you scored that interview. Getting an email about an interview can be exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time. It can be confusing knowing if you need to respond and if you do the next question is how?
This guide will help you to understand what the next steps are and how to complete each one in a professional manner.
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How To Confirm An Interview Appointment By Email
Once you receive notice, by phone, letter, or email, of the interview you will respond with a confirmation email where you confirm the appointment.
There is only one instance where you are not required to send a confirmation email and this is when the hiring manager says they will send you one.
In this case, you await correspondence and then respond to their email saying you look forward to meeting them and you are grateful for the opportunity. You can also ask any questions you may have at this time but most information should be included.
The only difference is that they send the initial email rather than you.
For sending an email to confirm an interview appointment simply follow the below steps:
- The subject should begin with Interview Confirmation, followed by the job title and your name
- In the main section of the email you need to include why you are writing, ask what you should bring to the interview, and express your thanks for having the opportunity to interview
- When signing off the email include your contact information, this will make life easier for the HR team if they need to contact you
- Proofread the message before sending it
- Blind copy your email into the recipients so that you can see it has been sent and delivered
A confirmation email allows you to confirm information regarding the interview, such as time and date, as well as ask any questions that you need regarding location or documents you may need to bring, such as a photo ID or a copy of your curriculum vitae. YOu should send the email immediately after receiving notice regarding the interview appointment to give a professional impression of yourself.
How To Prepare For An Interview
Here are some useful pointers to help you prepare for your upcoming interview.
Research
Research is key for a successful interview. There are three things you want to research for the interview, these are the company, the interviewers, and the role.
You can research the company by looking at their website. Identify keywords that they use and if they have a company mission statement or company values try and reference these in your answers.
For example, if the company prides itself on being passionate, refer to yourself as passionate. The interviewers could have a profile on the company website or else you may be able to find them by googling their name.
This will help you to see what aspects of the interview certain people may be focusing on. For example, if the interviewer is from HR it will be more general but if it was the employee who would be the manager for the role you are interested in they may ask more specific questions.
For researching the role return to the job description and specification that was listed in the recruitment listing. See what experience you have that is related to the role and find ways to explain your experience in a way that would be relevant to the role and beneficial to the company.
Practice
Practice makes perfect but it will also help you to feel calmer on the day and allow the words to flow a little better. Prepare answers for the interview questions you can expect, such as your strengths, weaknesses, why you are suited to the role and your previous work experience.
Write your answers out, learn them and have a friend practice with you so you get used to saying your answers out loud.
Plan
While things may change on the day it is always a good idea to have a plan. We recommend that you plan your commute, figuring out the best way to get to the interview location 15 minutes early is good as it gives you up to 10 minutes for unexpected delays.
If there is a cafe nearby, consider going an hour early, having a beverage, and reading your notes one last time before going to the interview. This is a great way to settle any nerves and you know you will be there on time, fully composed, and ready to do your best.
You should also plan what you are going to wear. First impressions are important, ensure you look clean and professional so that your first impression is a good one. Wear something comfortable so you don’t need to adjust before sitting down or standing up.
Also, try not to wear anything you can fidget with as this can be distracting to both you and the interviewer or interviewing panel.
Check Your Tech
If your interview is being held virtually it is important that you check your technology to prevent any technical issues happening on the day of your interview. We recommend doing a test call with a family member or friend so that you can check your mic, video, and lighting.
This will also give you a chance to see what it will be like before the interview which can help to make you feel more comfortable. If you are planning to use notes this will also give you an opportunity to figure out where you should place them so it isn’t obvious.
You can use notes when asking questions at the end of the interview to jog your memory but we don’t recommend using notes throughout the interview as it can make you look unprepared and unprofessional.
Final Thoughts
Now that you know how to confirm your interview appointment and how to prepare for your interview all that is left is for you to do your best. Getting an interview is a big deal in itself so take a moment to realize this accomplishment in itself.
By following this guide whatever may happen next you will know that you have performed the best you could and did everything you could to prepare. We wish you the best of luck!
