STANDARD INTERVIEW QUESTIONS - There are a number of standard interview questions. Be ready for them. These can include:

• Why do you want to work for us?

• Why do you want this job?

• What do you know about our company?

• Why did you choose your profession?

• What are your strengths/weaknesses?

• What do you like/dislike about your current job?

• How was your last appraisal?

• Why are you looking for a new position?

• What has been the biggest challenge in your career to date?

• What has been your greatest achievement to date?

• How would your friends/colleagues describe you?

• What is your plan for the next 2/5/10 years?

USUAL INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES - Think about the role of the person who is to interview you, and what they will want to learn about you. For instance, HR's prime concern is to ensure that you will fit in with the company culture and that you are of suitable character. Generally, they will not be able to assess your technical skills and ability to do the job in their interview. On the other hand, the manager who will interview you for his or her department will want to test your skills and your personality technically to ascertain whether you can do the job and that you will fit in with the team.

LOCATION - Find out exactly where your interview is to take place and which location you will be working in.

BE EARLY - Always aim to arrive at your interview 10 minutes early. If you are late, apologise at once and explain why.

DRESS TO IMPRESS - First impressions count so wear your best suit.

MEETING THE INTERVIEWER(S) - On meeting your interviewer, be enthusiastic and polite. Maintain good eye contact at all times (remember that around 65% of human communication is non-verbal) without appearing to “stare out” your interviewer! If there are several interviewers, make sure you look at each one. Try not to be unsettled if one person appears to be there solely to observe you. Mimic the interviewer. If they are formal, be formal. If they are informal, be informal.

ANSWERING QUESTIONS - If you do not understand a question, don't guess, ask them to explain further. If you do not know something, admit as much and explain how you would go about finding the answer.

MULTIPLE INTERVIEWS - Sometimes you may be required to have multiple interviews. If so, remember what you have said to each interviewer. It is common practice for interviewers to compare notes between interviews, so expect the second interviewer to probe further in areas already covered.

DON'T TALK TOO MUCH - The communication should be fairly even between interviewer and interviewee.

TAKE YOUR TIME WHEN ANSWERING QUESTIONS - Before you answer, THINK. It is better to take your time and give an exemplary answer after reasoning about the question than rushing through with a wrong answer.

ASK PLENTY OF QUESTIONS - This will make you appear interested as well as allow you to find out more about the company. Good questions include:

• Why is the position available?

• What is the likely career development path over the next few years?

• What training is offered?

• How often will I be appraised?

• What is staff retention like?

• What are the company's growth plans?

FEEDBACK - At the end of the interview, ask the interviewer how they felt it went and when you can expect to hear from them. You should also let them know your interest in the role and thank them for their time.

THANK YOU LETTER - A letter/email of thanks is an excellent way to follow up on an interview and helps you to remain in the interviewer's mind. Do write one, it may make the difference.