Obviously, no one can know exactly what questions they will be asked at an interview but there are certain topics that will almost certainly come up. Think through your answers to the following questions:

• Tell me about your employment history – what did you do, what did you enjoy, what were you good at, why did you leave each job.
• Why have you applied for the job?
• Why do you want to work for our company?
• What can you, above all of the other applicants, bring to this job?
• What did you do with your time when you were out of work?

         The best way to prepare for interview questions is naturally to know what they are in advance. There are many sites that offer sample interview questions, or you can buy a book. The CV Centre sponsor "Great Answers To Tough Interview Questions", generally considered to be the leading text on the subject.

The Big Day

         Make sure that you allow yourself enough time to get yourself ready and that you have all your exam certificates, records of achievement, testimonials and anything else relevant to the job with you. Also remember to take the letter inviting you to the interview and any maps, etc. that you might need. Leave in time to arrive 5-10 minutes early for the interview – this will allow you to gather your thoughts, go to the toilet, check your appearance, etc. Try to relax – everyone gets nervous before an interview. The chances are that you will feel more nervous than you look and anyway, most interviewers are trained to make allowances for the fact that you are likely to be somewhat on edge.

First Impressions

         The following tips will help you make a positive first impression:

• Shake hands firmly (but not to they extent that they require first aid!) with all the interviewers when you first enter the room – and do try to smile!
• Maintain eye contact whilst answering questions – and remember to speak up clearly
• Don’t smoke unless you are offered a cigarette and, even then, it may well be wise to politely decline the offer
• Try to avoid simple ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ answers to questions even if they seem appropriate – they tend to be conversation stoppers. Make sure that you answer questions fully but concisely - without chattering on unnecessarily.
• Never lie at an interview or say something that you cannot substantiate, but make sure that you present yourself in the best possible light
• When you are asked if you have any questions, use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm to the interviewer. Begin with questions about training, who you will be working with, and the job specification. Save questions about pay and holidays until the end.
• If you are not asked about something which you feel illustrates an important aspect of your ability to do the job then don’t be afraid to bring it up yourself
• Make sure you find out when you can expect to hear whether you have been successful – it could be anything from the same day (in which case, you may be asked to wait around) to a few days.
• Remember to thank the interviewer(s) for their time before you leave

         You should hear one way or the other within a week or two of the interview taking place, unless they have specified otherwise. If you do not hear within this time, telephone to enquire politely whether a decision has been reached. If you were not successful, try to treat the interview as a learning experience – nearly everybody gets a few setbacks when they are job-hunting. Think about why you were not selected and if there was anything you feel you could have done differently to improve your chances of getting the job. Don’t be too hard on yourself. It may simply have been that there was a better qualified candidate and that, given your experience and skills, you performed to the best of your abilities. Indeed, sometimes there is so little to choose between candidates that success or failure at interview can simply be down to luck. Above all else, remember: there is a job out there with your name on it and if employers haven’t recognized your star quality yet then it’s up to you to dazzle them!