The most important thing is to make a great first impression. The next most important thing is to make a great first impression!

Get there early, dress professionally, give a firm handshake (that means females too), smile and maintain eye contact (but try and avoid a Jack Nicholson impersonation).

Prepare
There is an old saying ‘Fail to prepare, prepare to fail’. If you think you can wing the interview for what might be your dream job – you’re wrong!

If you don’t prepare for the interview it will show and you’ll be short changing yourself and wasting all the time and effort taken to get you into that room.

So, make sure that you read and understand any information that you have been provided with. Be proactive and make an effort to obtain more information on the company and its products – there are so many sources these day – check the company website, try and get hold of company and product literature, speak to customers and current employees if you get the chance. If the industry is unfamiliar to you, look at their competitors’ sites too.

If you can demonstrate that you are so interested in the position that you’ve gone the extra mile you’ll stand out – BUT - avoid seeming like a stalker, it could backfire!!

Make sure that you know the name and the positions of the interviewers and that you know the employer’s recruitment policies. If you are prepared for what is on the other side of the interview room door you will be more comfortable, confident and positive when you go through it.

Carefully consider the questions that you will be asked – take an educated guess. To help you – here’s a tip... Read through your CV as though you are the interviewer and write down any questions that you would ask. Once you have a list of questions, practice answering them (preferably with someone else in order to make it more natural).

Don’t forget, this is a 2-way interview – you need to ask some sensible and probing questions of your own. This is your career so it’s best to know all that you can to make an informed decision when they offer you the job!

If you have gaps in your CV be prepared to explain them in a confident and positive way – don’t make apologies for them.

Even though you need to show yourself in the best possible light you should be prepared to discuss some areas were you feel you could benefit from further experience or training - it makes you human.

First Impressions
The first few seconds can make or break your chances of success – so give yourself the start you deserve – MAKE A GREAT FIRST IMPRESSION!

Do the simple, easy stuff well and you’ll already be ahead of many other candidates:

• Get there on time – which is 5 minutes early
• Dress appropriately – this would generally be formal business wear; don’t do trendy (it doesn’t work unless it is for very specific roles within a creative environment) and don’t do wacky socks or tie either (no one wants to work with a sad bloke!)
• Firm handshake, smile and good eye contact – if you don’t, you’re telling your interviewer that you’re lacking in self confidence or worse still, that you have something to hide.

Instil Confidence with your performance
DON’T LIE – It’s not worth it, you’ll be found out in the end. If you’re not the right person for the job then lying about your background, abilities or experience isn’t going to make you right.

Relax and bring a positive attitude with you – it’s the most important thing that you can take into the interview. Even if you don’t feel confident – play the part and the confidence will come.

Don’t be critical of previous employers and managers, especially if it’s within the same industry (after all, it’s a small world!). Focus on the positive.

Listen carefully to each question and consider your answers with care – Don’t rush into answering, don’t gabble or gush, don’t talk too much and don’t repeat yourself over and over – these are all symptoms of nerves so be aware if you exhibit any of these tendencies when you’re in a stressful situation.