How do I ace my face-to-face interview?

So you've been invited to a face-to-face interview - congratulations 🥳

I mean, there's no formula we can give you to guarantee you land your dream role but there are some key things you can do that'll help you impress at your interview:

Show up on time: Put yourself in the manager's shoes - You're busy, you need a new awesome person you can trust to turn up and get the job done. If someone shows up for an interview late, it doesn't exactly scream "this person's going to be someone I can rely on". Plan to be there 15 mins early (although don't go in until your actual interview time) - that way if traffic is unexpectedly bad or you can't find a park, you'll still be ok. If a real emergency happens and there's no way round it, make sure you text or call to let them know.

Look presentable: This is customer service - first impressions really count. If you're clean, tidy and friendly, people are more likely to feel comfortable asking you questions. This is the vibe your interviewer is looking for too.

Do your research: This is your chance to knock your interviewer's socks off. Nothing makes as good an impression as showing you care about someone's business. Check out their website before you head in to see them and make sure you've visited a store or two. That way you'll be able to speak with confidence about why this company and this role is the right fit for you.

Have some questions prepared:Avoid that awkward silence after the inevitable "so, do you have any questions for me?" question at the end of the interview. Think of a few things you can ask before you head in - things like "what do you like best about working here?" or "What kind of training do you offer?".

Have answers prepped for these questions:These (or similar versions of these) are really commonly asked Big Questions in interviews. Make sure you've thought of how you'd answer them if they crop up: Why are you right for this job? What excites you about working in this role/company? What are your plans for the next year or two? What are you into in your spare time? What are the achievements you're really proud of?