Preparation

• Identify 5 of your most valuable strengths, prepare an example of how you have demonstrated these strengths, and make sure you get a chance to mention them in your interview.
• Confront your weaknesses also, although you ideally do not want to discuss your floors in an interview, but if asked you will be able to respond with an honest answer. This will deter you looking to confident or arrogant. Without honesty you could end up with a job you will hate.

Know the Organisation

• The more knowledge you can relay to your interviewer the better.
• Things such as company size, industry, locations and divisions, products and services, target markets, culture and reputation, financial performance and history, turnover, profitability and exports, major competitors.

Plan the journey

• Be sure to plan your route carefully.
• Allow for delays, depending on the time of travel.
• Plan to arrive 10 - 15 minutes prior to your interview, so you can relax.

Dress Appropriately

• Dress in something you are confident and comfortable in, but presentable.
• Make sure your attire is clean and neat; don't have any wrinkles or creases.
• Avoid overpowering with perfume or aftershave.
• Try to dress in darker colours such as dark blue or black, this shows an image of professionalism and control.

At the Interview

• Make a good first impression; offer a firm hand shake and direct eye contact.
• Nerves are natural in an interview, however if you show them too much and keep apologising it may go against you. Try to keep to particular topics and not sidetrack into another conversation.
• Remember that interviews are also there for you to ask questions, you also need to get to know your potential employer as they are getting to know there potential employee.
• Answer questions honestly and completely. Try to avoid being blunt, a "yes" or "no" answer will not reveal anything.
• Don't dominate the conversation, the interviewer still needs to be in charge.
• Try not to pass judgement on a previous employer and companies, some may encourage you to, this however may land you to be seen as arrogant or rude.
• Make sure you communicate your desire for the job.
• Remember an interested candidate always gets the job over those who play it safe and cool in the interview.
• You may get hit with a trick question; the best thing to do is answer it openly and honestly.

After the Interview

• If you are unsuccessful, try to get some feedback from the interviewer. You should also then reflect yourself on how the interview went.
• To stand out and show your interest you could send a thank you letter. Use this to reinforce your strengths, express your appreciation, recap, add points you may have forgotten, elaborate how you can contribute, continue to express your interest.

Common Traps

• Being over friendly.
• Not listening carefully, jumping the gun.
• Being over enthusiastic.
• Under prepared.
• Slouching, mumbling, and speaking poorly.
• Knowing nothing about the company.