Thorough preparation is crucial to the success of any interview. It is vital to consider every aspect, from physical appearance to difficult interview questions. Conduct in-depth research on your new potential employer, focusing on relevant information for your new role.

Before The Interview:

• Plan your journey thoroughly, including an alternative mode of transport to allow for unexpected circumstances. A mock run is also a good idea. Most interviewers will view lateness as an unforgivable offence.
• Plan what you will wear and try it on. Make sure that you are comfortable and smart. Don't overlook polishing your shoes or ensuring your fingernails are clean. Never wear more than 'minimalist' jewellery. If you have long hair make sure it is tidily tied back.
• Know your own CV and your next career move. Talking around your CV is your opportunity to demonstrate how you have successfully performed to date and your added value to your next potential employer. Remember your interviewer will be using your CV as a prompt to find out your career history and abilities.

At The Interview:

• Smile and make direct eye contact with your interviewer. Always give a firm confident handshake.
• A good interviewer will try to relax you by asking you perhaps about you an open-ended question general question, perhaps about your journey etc. A light-hearted answer can break the ice.
• Remember body language. Don't fold your arms or cross your legs. Sit confidently upright and keep your head up. Smiling can help both you and interviewer relax. Keep consistently friendly eye contact; this will demonstrate your confidence and assertiveness.
• In responding to questions aim for succinct clarity. Give answers, which briefly describe the relative scenario. If done with brevity this will give the interviewer an understanding of the context rather than endless details. Remember to accentuate your role in each scenario and describe action taken by you and the results in each account.
• All questions have a purpose. Some are asked to perceive the way in which you can respond to a difficult situation where others may be to perceive the way in which you interpret and answer questions.
• Remember to avoid monosyllabic answers; an interviewer wants you to talk in order to form a better perception of you.
• Listen attentively to questions and take time to form succinct answers. Never interrupt, wait till the interviewer has stopped talking to ask questions.
• Try to make your answers positive, don't dwell on any negative areas of your CV; remember that essentially you are selling yourself.
• It is normal practice that the interviewer will begin to close the interview by asking you if you have any questions. Make sure you have prepared some and don't be afraid to ask about any areas of the role that you are unsure of.
• "Closing" is essential at the end of the interview. If you are certain that the position is for you ask if you will be given a second interview and if you sense the moment is right be bold enough to ask what your selection chances are like. This demonstrates your hunger for the position and an enthusiastic nature.