When you have an interview, arrive early, having checked the route and transport beforehand. Let the receptionist know who you are and ask if there is somewhere you can leave your coat and bag. The less encumbered you are the better. You'll probably be asked to take a seat and wait. If you've done your preparation well, you'll be smartly and appropriately dressed, and you'll already know quite a bit about the job you are chasing and you'll have done lots of research about the company. You may feel nervous but you are well prepared and they haven't invited you here to waste your time or theirs.
In the few minutes before you enter the interview room, run through the questions you think you may be asked and rehearse your model answers for the last time. Try to relax by sitting comfortably and breathing in and out slowly. Read a magazine or chat to the receptionist. She may have been asked to let the interviewers know her impression of you, so make a good impression and use this time to gain as much new information about the company as you can. Is it a busy, chaotic sort of place or is there a sense of calm and purpose? How do people greet each other here? What seems to be the main topic of conversation? A degree of nervousness can help to ensure that you perform well so, if you feel a little jittery, remind yourself that this can work positively for you.
When you are invited into the interview room, smile pleasantly at your interviewers and shake hands. Wait until you are asked to sit down, and then sit comfortably with your hands on your lap; try not to fidget. The first question will probably be an 'icebreaker', something easy to settle you down and get the conversation moving. Speak clearly and steadily and act as naturally as you can. Don't try to change your accent or use unfamiliar words; you won't be able to keep the act up for long. The chances are that you have already prepared your answer to this question so you can concentrate on making a good first impression. If there are several interviewers, make sure that you look at each one as you speak. Make eye contact and engage their attention. By looking at your interviewers you will make them feel that you are talking to them, not repeating a rehearsed speech.
Interviews are false, unnatural events where strangers have only half an hour or so to decide whether they can work together for several years. Throughout the interview, try to project a 'pleasant' version of yourself. You need to convince the employer that you can do the job, but you mustn't appear boastful. Being pleasant, however, doesn't mean that you should agree with everything he says. The interviewer wants to appoint someone who will be a loyal member of the workforce but this doesn't mean that you cannot have your own opinions and preferences. If you disagree with something, say so in a polite, assertive manner. You needn't be aggressive. Many interviewers do everything they can to make the interview appear like a 'natural' conversation. Even so, at times there may be a period of silence. Don't let it worry you. He is probably thinking of his next question or trying to take in all the information you're giving him. Remember also that an interviewer may be as nervous as you are. You can both have temporary lapses of memory. He may struggle to recall the next question and likewise you may completely forget how to respond to a particular line of his enquiry. It is natural and it can happen to anyone - tell him your mind has gone blank and ask if you can move on to the next question.
If you have prepared yourself well, nervousness shouldn't be a major problem, but there are a couple of things to watch out for. Give the interviewer time to finish his question before you start to answer it and make sure that you listen hard to the question. In your preparation you will have rehearsed several answers to a number of imaginary questions, but this question will not be identical to one of those which you imagined so you must tailor your response to suit the particular question. A stock, off-the-peg, response won't do.
Try to take evidence of your work to the interview. If you are applying for a clerical job, you could put together a portfolio of examples of your work on a word processor. If the job demands design or artistic skill you may have a portfolio or examples of projects carried out in your current employment, school or college. Trade and craft workers can often impress interviewers by producing photographs of their work.
Throughout the interview you can monitor your performance by keeping a close eye on the interviewer's body language. If he is looking at your or nodding his head, he is attentive and encouraging you to say more. An interviewer who is tapping his watch or glancing at the clock on the wall is inadvertently telling you that you have lost his interest or that your answer is too lengthy.
Always try to present a positive attitude. Mention positive aspects of previous jobs and do not criticize previous employers. It comes across as disloyalty.
Don't smoke during an interview, even if you are offered a cigarette, and don't chew gum. You may be offered a cup of coffee but it is often better to refuse politely. You need to concentrate on answering the questions well and making sure that your message is getting across, a cup of coffee can be distracting and it can cramp your style. If you are nervous, a cup and saucer in your hand can magnify even the tiniest of tremors.
