• Check you have read the job advertisement and description if sent before your interview.
• Ensure you meet the requirements and you have a positive answer for any areas you do not fully meet.
• Research the company products, staff, culture, clients and competitors.
• Ensure you know the correct name of your interviewer and job title.
• Be sure you know the interview procedure; some companies have one-to-one interviews; panel interviews; assessment centres; psychometric testing.
• View a map and plan your journey in advance, allowing for delayed trains and accidents.
• Have your CV, references and any additional information requested, to hand.
• Conservative dress is preferred but check with the culture of the office too – wear smart attire and ensure your shoes are shiny and well kept.
• Layout your clothing the day before.
• Read over your CV and make sure you know it back to front.
• Focus on your achievements when asked interview questions and portray every response in a positive way.
• Do not interrupt your interviewer and give a steady handshake when entering.
• Prepare model answers for any tricky questions you believe they may ask you.
• Prepare your own questions in advance, which might include – What is the department business plan for the next 1 or 5 years? What challenges do you foresee and how do you plan to overcome these? What challenges do you envisage in this role?
• Unless prompted do not ask what the salary/benefits will be if this is the first interview.
• You could ask if there are any areas they would like further clarification on at the end – just to be able to have a second opportunity if necessary.
• Ask the follow up procedure; when you should expect to hear; 2nd or 3rd interviews etc if you are unclear and would like to know.

Second Opportunities
If you feel upon reflection you could have answered a question in a better way or failed to get an important achievement across, why not follow up with a letter thanking the interviewer for their time and reiterate your suitability for the post.

Unsuccessful
If you are unsuccessful in your interview, it is worth a call to request feedback – whilst they are very busy they might oblige and offer you some valuable tips as to where you could have improved.

Successful
Great you have secured a job offer, however, before rushing to resign it is worth requesting and receiving your offer officially by post.

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