The short time you spend at a job interview can have a dramatic impact on your career prospects.

You only get one chance to make a good impression.

No matter how impressive your resume or your career record is to date, poor performance at an interview may limit your chances of fulfilling your ambition.

The interview is an opportunity for you to sell yourself -no one else will!

We hope these hints, together with the guidance provided by our consultants will help you to improve your interview performance.

Preparation is the key element of a successful interview. It is important to:

• Know the exact place and time of the interview, the interviewer's name, correct pronunciation and his/her title.
• Pay extra attention to your personal presentation. If in doubt dress conservatively (blue, black or grey if possible), avoiding loud ties, bright socks etc.
• Interviewers look for interested, pro-active candidates. Therefore, you should investigate specific facts about the company such as, size, products and services, locations etc.
• Review your resume to identify key skills, responsibilities and achievements with current and past employers. Refresh your memory on the facts and figures of your present/former employers.
• Prepare the questions that you will ask during the interview eg. Reason for the vacancy, job description, culture of the company.
• Review your probable answers to likely questions in the interview. Be prepared for difficult questions eg. What do you know about the company? Why do you want to work here? What is your preferred management style?
• You should also be prepared for targeted questions that address specific situations, behaviours and competencies. You should ask yourself what competencies would they be looking for in this job?

An interview is a 'two-way street' where the employer seeks to determine whether you have the right skills for the job, and similarly, you must determine whether the company will provide you with the opportunities you seek.

Do's

• Plan to arrive on time or a few minutes early. Being late for a job interview is inexcusable.
• Greet the interviewer by his/her name.
• Shake hands firmly. Smile.
• Wait until you are offered a chair before sitting. Be sure to sit upright, look alert and interested at all times.
• Maintain natural eye contact.
• Body language - let your manner demonstrate your interest in the discussion.
• Make sure your points get across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner. Keep in mind that you alone can sell yourself to an interviewer. Ensure you ask good questions about the position and the organisation.
• Be prepared to specify your required remuneration. You should know your market value.
• Show interest and enthusiasm. Express your thoughts clearly.
• Have a plan for your career - purpose and goals.

As a rule you should always conduct yourself as if you are determined to get the job. Never close the door on an opportunity. It is better to be in the position where you can chose from a number of positions rather than only one!

Don'ts

• Be late for a job interview.
• Be overbearing, aggressive, conceited, or have a superiority complex
• Use poor diction and grammar.
• Smoke even if the interviewer smokes or offers you a cigarette.
• Answer questions with a simple 'yes' or 'no'. Provide examples wherever possible. Be careful not to 'over answer' the question.
• Lie! Answer questions truthfully, frankly and succinctly.
• Never make derogatory remarks about your present or former employers.

If you are interested in the position, say so! If you are offered the position and you want it, accept it on the spot. If you want some time to think it over, be courteous and tactful in asking for that time. Set a definite date when you can provide the answer.

Don't be too discouraged if no definite offer is made or specific salary discussed. The interviewer may wish to communicate with his/her office first or interview more applicants before making a decision.

Thank the interviewer for his/her time and consideration of you. Ask yourself if you have answered the following questions to the best of your ability. If your answer is 'yes' then you have done all you can:

• Why are you interested in the position and the company?
• What can you offer and can you do the position?

Call your DLA Consultant who referred you to the position immediately after the interview and explain what happened. He/she will want to talk with you before the interviewer calls him/her back. If you are interested in progressing, it will help if your feelings towards the position are known, together with your perception of what the client's reaction is likely to be.