It is almost impossible for us to imagine getting a job offer without first going to an interview of some sort, and who would want to take a job without first meeting their boss and perhaps a few colleagues? The secret of success lies in preparation, so it's worth spending a little time doing your homework to make it a positive experience.

Good employers understand the pitfalls of interviewing such as, for example, the tendency people to recruit in their own image, but the process is slowly becoming more structured, sophisticated and fairer. Indeed, in some sectors the humble interview has been practically elevated to an art form, such as the travel industry, requiring jobseekers to sing, dance or even cook in order to better assess applicants.

Preparation

Research the organisation and its business sector - look at the web site, read the annual report, read at least one decent broadsheet newspaper each day, quiz anyone you know who has worked there.
Carry out some pay-as-you-go desk research on what the papers say. For less than £2 you can buy an hour's worth of research time in our company and industry news directory, accessing over 5,000 information sources from the comfort of your own computer.
Prepare answers to standard questions.
Be ready with a few questions for the interviewer which show that you have done your homework about the organisation and its business. The recruiter wants to know that you are on the ball.
Ring and check who will be interviewing you - it could throw you if, instead of the one to one you had imagined, you are faced with an interview panel of six people.
Check also the format of the interview - for example will there be any personality or skills testing?
Dress appropriately
Read through your CV and application letter
Check buses/trains/parking/petrol in the car
At the interview

Do:

Turn up on time and be nice to everyone you meet from the receptionist onwards - you never know who might have a say in your appointment.
Make the most of your research - mention some of the facts you have gleaned from the media, etc
Make sure you talk to everyone if it is a panel interview rather than directing your answers at one or two people only
Find out as much as you can about the job - how else will you be able to decide if they make you an offer? For example, you should want to know who the job reports to and why it has become vacant
If the first interview is with a recruitment consultant, pump him or her for as much information as possible about the organisation and the job

Don't:

Be late - in fact arrive ten minutes early
Criticise current or previous employers
Answer a question with another question
Interrupt the interviewers - although they may interrupt you
Leave without finding out when you will hear if you have made it to the next round of the recruitment process, and what that entails
What your body language says about you
Click here to view hjobs' example interview questions

After the interview

Do:

Learn from your mistakes - make a list of the questions you answered well and those you answered poorly. Think too about what you should have said
Interview feedback

Good employers are increasingly geared up to provide interview feedback. However, even reticent employers now have to hand over any notes taken during interviews to applicants, thanks to a code of practice under the Data Protection Act, introduced in February 2002. Previous legislation meant that applicants could see their interview notes only if they were making a complaint against the employer. Job applicants and employees can write to the organisation holding the information, although sometimes a £10 fee will be charged.

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