Top tips for interview success for Cambridge Regional College students

Computing students at Cambridge Regional College were put through their paces by the experts when volunteers from local businesses held interview workshops – with plenty of useful advice on what not to do.

During a week focusing on employment skills, businesses were invited into the college to talk to students during its Computer Industry Week, running practical workshops on interview preparation and skills.

Staff from Bango, Pure Recruitment, Cambridge Cognition and The Honest Recruiter worked with the students to hone their talents in interviews for IT positions, with tips on dressing smartly – and never wearing a hoodie to an interview.

Russ Lucier, CRC Progression Coach for Computing, said the week, organised with help from Cambridge-based Form the Future, had been a big success.

“We had great support during the week from local businesses who provided the students with really valuable advice and interview practice to help them land their perfect IT job,” he said.

“Afterwards the students felt they would perform much more strongly in interviews and were far more aware of the little things that could win, or lose, them the job.

“It’s the second event we’ve held with help from Form the Future, which connects schools and colleges with business. The first centred on exploring career paths in the Computing and IT industry, so the Computer Industry Week was a very valuable follow-up event.”

Top tips for a good interview included: do your research – make sure you’re informed about the company you’re applying to – and always have a question ready to ask at the end of the interview. To avoid making a bad impression from the start, never be late and always turn up smartly dressed – leave the hoodie at home.