Make time for the unexpected

Abenefit2u will provide you with the time of the interview and expected duration.  We also recommend that you block out additional time in your diary in case the interview commences late or overruns.

If a client is holding a full day of back to back interviews as the day progresses it is quite possible that one interview may overrun and the employer may fall behind schedule, seeing you later than planned.  Often, although a client states a duration of one hour, when there is rapport between employer and employee time may overrun for all the right reasons.  When you are interviewing successfully the last thing you want to do is to excuse yourself for another meeting.

When undertaking tests allow time to get there early and read the test paper, not just time to sit the test e.g. if a test lasts 45 minutes, allow yourself 60 minutes in your diary and get there at least 15 minutes early.

Travel Arrangements Abenefit2u provide a map within the job information pack, stating all the nearest modes of transport to reach the employer’s location.  We hope that these will assist you in organising travel arrangements from your home residence to the interview venue.

Abenefit2u recommend that you investigate how you will reach your interview the day that your interview confirmation arrives.  This should leave you plenty of time to contact us if you have any last minute questions or details that we need to confirm with the employer.  Always bear in mind that locations that look near on a map may not have a direct rail link and therefore journey times may be in excess of what you had originally expected.  You may wish to conduct a ‘test run’ before the interview and if the journey does prove too far, withdraw from the interview.  Attending an interview at a locality that you will not be able to travel to on a daily basis is not a constructive use of your time or the employer’s time.

On the day, allow plenty of time to find the venue.  Allow for potential delays on public transport. Arriving late will mean you are unsettled and flustered instead of calm and relaxed, affecting your overall performance.  It is far better to be early than late.  Once you have located the office, if you are early you can find a local café/bar (of the non alcoholic variety!) and gather your thoughts/read over the job description and person specification, or consider any questions that you may be asked or that you can ask the employer.

If you are impaired by health for any reason e.g. visual, hearing, mobility, please advise Abenefit2u prior to the interview.  We can advise the client on your behalf of reasonable adjustments required.