Always prepare for interview, even if it’s a group activity day or an informal session. Know your employer – read their prospectus, familiarise yourself with the content of their website. Understand their market, their brand and their ethos. Knowledge is power and will help you to feel more confident at interview. Do not, however, overdo the name dropping. Demonstrate that you have done your research only when appropriate and resist the temptation to show off.

Think through possible questions and formulate your answers.

Know your CV inside and out. An interviewer will often pick out an item on your CV and ask you to elaborate, so protect against nasty surprises.

Study the job spec, an interviewer will have a list of specific skills and experiences they are looking for in a candidate. They are likely to ask you open questions with a focus on examples from your experience. You need to recall specific instances where you have demonstrated the skills they have specified in their job spec.

Before you go to interview, always ensure that you have eaten a light meal. There is nothing more off putting than dreading your next audible tummy rumble. Make sure you have washed and brushed your teeth after you eat.

Ensure that you know exactly where you are going, who you are meeting and at what time. If you are unclear on any part of this vital information, a quick telephone call to check cannot hurt.

Plan your journey. Work out transport method, parking and timings.

Arrival time

Be early, but not too early. If you arrive 30-15 mins before your appointment, find a place nearby to wait awhile. At about 15 minutes before your interview, report your arrival to reception. It is perfectly acceptable to ask to use the facilities before you meet with your interviewer if you wish to, and reception should be able to direct you.

Greeting

When you meet your prospective employer, be sure to stand, smile, make eye contact, shake hands and introduce yourself.

Etiquette

Take note of how they introduce themselves to you, if they use Mr/Miss/Mrs, address them as such, if they use first name-surname, use Mr/Miss/Mrs until otherwise directed. If they use first name only, it is safe to assume that you may respectfully use their first name to address them in the interview.

Once you enter the interview room, wait to be directed to a seat. If your interviewer isnít forthcoming with direction, ask them where they would like you to sit. Do not walk in and sit yourself down wherever you like.

If you are offered refreshment, feel free to accept it if you wish but do not feel obliged either way.