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Be prepared

1 Find out about the company

One of the main reasons for people not being offered jobs is that they didn鈥檛 know enough about the company they had applied to. 鈥淔ind out as much as you can about the company beforehand,鈥� advises Suzie Britton, director of recruitment consultant Magenta. 鈥淲ebsites are a good source of information.鈥� The annual report will give you an idea of the projects the firm has been doing and where, and if you turn up early for the interview and ask the receptionist not to announce you for a while, you can read any publicity material the firm has on display.

2 Find out about the job

鈥淕et as much information about the role as possible before the interview,鈥� says Britton. 鈥淵ou can then demonstrate when you have used the skills required.鈥� There鈥檚 no point going on about your experience at answering the phone when you were temping in your holidays if the job involves spending four days a week on site; better to talk about the people-management skills you gained as captain of a sports team.

3 Think of things to ask

鈥淧repare a list of insightful questions,鈥� suggests Britton. 鈥淭hat way you can ascertain whether it is the right company and role.鈥� Don鈥檛 be scared to ask about pay and benefits but you could also ask about what skills the interviewer thinks are needed for the job (and then say how you鈥檝e demonstrated those skills) and what the last person who did it is doing now, for instance. Write your questions down if you need to.

4 Prepare for common questions

Some questions come up so much that it鈥檚 worth pre-preparing answers. The website www.workingsmart.co.uk has a long list including 鈥淲hat has been your main achievement?鈥�, 鈥淲hat motivates you?鈥� and 鈥淲hat are your strengths and weaknesses?鈥� Use the answers to show positive qualities about yourself, for instance 鈥渕y main achievement was a sponsored parachute jump because not only did I raise money for charity, I also overcame my fear and learned the value of preparing well before I take a calculated risk鈥�. That sort of thing.

5 Get a haircut

These days you don鈥檛 necessarily have to lop off the ponytail you鈥檝e been growing since you left school, but appearances do matter and a messy barnet will do you no favours, whatever the length. Also, get your suit dry-cleaned, polish your shoes, iron your shirt and sort out your clothes the night before so you don鈥檛 have to run around in the morning looking for matching socks.

6 Learn about yourself

鈥淜now your CV and all the details on your application form, if you had to complete one, so you will be able to speak confidently about your background,鈥� says Britton. Be able to account for any gaps in your CV鈥檚 timeline.

7 Dig out your paperwork

Find your qualification certificates the night before to take with you, and any projects or presentations you are going to use to impress the interviewer. Pack a few copies of your CV to take with you, to jog your memory and to give to the interviewer 鈥� you鈥檇 be amazed how often they鈥檝e lost the copy you sent them.

8 Get an early night

Bags under your eyes and hangover breath won鈥檛 impress anyone, so have a good night鈥檚 sleep. But don鈥檛 forget to set your alarm.

9 Get up early

Nothing says 鈥淚鈥檓 unreliable鈥� like turning up half an hour late, so allow plenty of time for the vagaries of public transport. Britton suggests doing a trial run the day before. Allow time to have a shower, a shave and a good breakfast.

10 Go to the toilet

Nobody gives their best first impression with a nervous bladder, so while you鈥檙e waiting, use the facilities 鈥� and check your teeth for any bits of food that might have got stuck there. Last but not least, dry your hands well so you don鈥檛 end up with a clammy handshake.