You've applied for the job. Your details have impressed your prospective new employer and now you've been invited for interview. You can close the deal and be offered the job by confirming the original good impression you made or blow it by not living up to the promise of your first contact.

  • The interviewer will expect you to look smart and be appropriately dressed. From your experience consider what you think would normally be worn by people doing the job for which you have applied and dress accordingly. It is better to be a little overdressed than a little underdressed, to look clean, neat and well turned out.
  • Be better than prompt. Plan to arrive at least ten minutes early so that you can relax, gather your thoughts and if you need to, tidy up.
  • Although you probably feel tense, try to look relaxed and offer a firm handshake.
  • Sit when you are invited to do so and when asked questions give brief, honest answers elaborating when necessary. Don't try to oversell yourself, but appear eager, positive and interested in the job. Be frank and open. If you mislead the Interviewer you will soon be found out, so make the most of your background, experience and skills but don't misrepresent yourself.
  • Let the Interviewer talk and conduct the interview at his or her pace. Be patient and don't interrupt. If the Interviewer is interested in you then you will have the opportunity to present the case to be taken on.
  • When the interview is nearing completion you will probably be asked if you have any questions. You probably have so don't be shy. It is better to ask now than to go away and wish that you had. You may want to know if this is a new position or if you are replacing someone, how many others are doing the same job, are they of a similar age group, is there a friendly atmosphere, what is the work environment like? Have you been advised about working hours, holidays and prospects? If not, now is the time to ask.
  • Finally, when it is obvious that the interview is at an end, finish the way you started, with a smile, a firm handshake and say that you look forward to hearing from them.

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