How to do well on a job interview

So you find yourself looking for a job. You prepare your CV well, and research all the companies you want to send it to. Finally, your effort pays off, and you have an interview! Now it's time to prepare and know how you need to behave by following a couple of simple tips.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. 
    
   Careerwearltd.co.uk has some great examples of what you should wear for the interview

   Dress the part. Whether it is fair or not, how you look matters. Do not waltz into the interview room in jeans and a t-shirt thinking that your abilities are so great, that you'll just blow them away. This is not true. You are not the only person they are interviewing for the position, and most candidates have a profile similar to yours, if you are competing for the same role. Sometimes what will make the difference between a successful and an unsuccessful candidate is something as simple as your wardrobe. Men, wear suits, make sure it fits well, and that it is of a neutral color, make sure your clothes are wrinkle free and make sure your hair is neat. Shave right before the interview, and if you must, light cologne. Remember that some people are allergic to fragrance.
   Women, a skirt suit or pant suit with high heels, light (key word: light) makeup, neat hairstyle. Again, if you must wear perfume, make sure it is just a touch of it.
   Men and women should look elegant and discrete.

2. Mind your posture. This is something your parents must have told you a million times. But keep a good posture, your back erect, your chin up. Be careful that this is not artificial, but a correct posture exudes confidence. Employers like to see confident employees.

3. Make eye contact and project your voice. Be careful not to shout or speak loudly, but make sure that your tone of voice and projection are correct. Speaking too low and not making eye contact will make it seem like you are trying to hide something, or that you are not confident.

4. If you are interviewing for a creative position, make sure that you take examples of your work, or that you have set up an online portfolio so that potential employers can take a look at it. Make sure to keep it current even while you are employed, this way, when you are on the lookout again, you can start showing your portfolio straight away, and you do not forget to include anything.

5. Go prepared. Some questions you can use to rehearse are:
   -Why would you like to work for this company?
   -Where do you see yourself in 5/10 years?
   -What are your career goals?
   -Why did you leave/ want to leave you last/current job?
   
   Read the company's website, and see where you could fit in. Read into case studies, the latest issues surrounding the company and its industry, and if possible even research the person/ people interviewing you.

6. Prepare questions to ask at the end of the interview. For example, what are the company's goals? What is their staff retention rate? What kind of training will you be getting? Make sure that these questions are relevant to the specific company.

7. Refrain from certain subjects such as: politics, religion, family plans, lifestyle choices, health history, and never, EVER complain about any company you worked for or any bosses you may have had. Yes, they were terrible, but if asked, just say that you are grateful for the opportunity you had to have worked for that company/ boss.

Tips & Warnings

• If you wear facial jewelry, remove it.
• Never wear the same clothes/ makeup you would to a night out with your friends.
• Remember that the interview is as much an opportunity for the employer to get to know you, as it is for you to see if you think the company will be good for your career too.
• As mentioned, never badmouth anyone you have worked for, under any circumstances.