"Remember that time is money" - Benjamin Franklin

To get the best out your interview, it is vitally important to prepare. An important skill is making your perfect answers appear to be off the cuff, and most importantly to the point.

Organization

• Always do your research - Not only of the company, your role and the scheme, but also if you have a name of your interviewer research their position and background. If you can get hold of any internal magazines, brochures, annual reports or recent press articles about the company, this could help add depth to your answers and really show you have made the effort to research.
• Extra Reading - Obtain and read a worthy newspaper and if possible a relevant trade journal for a week or two before the interview to ensure you are up-to-date with business and industry news and affairs.
• Dress appropriately for the occasion
• Plan - Before you go to the interview make a rough plan of key messages you want to convey.
• Think about the questions you are likely to be asked - Also your responses. Especially prepare answers about why you want the job, what your strengths are, how you'd do the job and what your best achievements are.

TOP  TiP: PREPARE QUESTIONS

• Orientation - Know how to get to the venue and how long the journey takes.
• Be punctual - This is a critical aspect of job interview etiquette. Always arrive early so you are not in a rush, allowing you to calmly prepare for the interview.

TOP  TiP: PREPARE

If you appear prepared and competent in your interview, you will be perceived to be a prepared and competent employee.

Bring

• A couple of up-to-date CVs with you- for yourself, the interviewer and if anyone else is sitting in.
• Find out if you need to bring anything out of the ordinary.
• A number to call- if you are running late.

During Interview

• Try to be calm - an important element of business is working under pressure.
• Listen carefully- to all interview questions and respond as clearly as possible.
• Be careful- Do not give answers or messages you planned rather than answering the question in hand.
• Consider other applicants - They are likely to have very similar academic backgrounds to your own, so you need to make the most of highlighting your unique experiences and achievements.

TOP TiP: ASSEMBLE EVIDENCE AND GIVE SPECIFIC EXAMPLES
To back-up statements about yourself, of how you have accomplished your past achievements. Being able to substantiate how will put you ahead of those who merely mention it.

• Body language- This is often not considered however its importance is paramount. Before a word has even been spoken, your body language will have already given people their first impression of you.
• Positive responses - About your University, former employers, and other organizations will help create a more positive impression for you.

It is common courtesy to thank the interviewer for their time at the end of the interview.