Some of the best candidates fail at interview stage because they do not prepare and don’t know what to expect. The better prepared that you are the more confident you will be.

• Ensure that you have researched the company that you are being interviewed at well.
• Try getting hold of any literature, look at their website, search for any recent news stories and look on www.linkedin.com too. If the opportunity arises you will be able to demonstrate interest in the company.
• Dress to impress! Always go for smart and professional rather than trendy.
• Plan your route and allow plenty of time to get to the interview.
• Be aware of your body language. Crossed arms for example indicate hostility or a barrier. Adopt good posture and make sure that you smile.
• You must be able to back up and expand on your CV information rather than simply repeating what is written, a good interviewer will probe these points.
• Transferable skills are the most important factors to highlight.
• Communicate as positively as possible and try not to use weak answers, for example “I can” instead of “I think I can”.
• Be confident and outgoing but don’t constantly interrupt the interviewer. Do not answer in single syllables i.e. yes and no but at the same time keep to the line of questioning don’t ramble and go off at a tangent.
• If you don’t understand a question, ask, don’t guess.
• Always prepare some questions to ask at interview in advance. Some examples are shown further down this page.
• At the end of the interview always thank them for their time and remember to keep smiling