Most jobs and placements/internships require you to come for an interview, so it is really important to prepare yourself as much as you can!

Tips for interview success

• Try to appear confident and look at the panel.
• Try to avoid irritating physical mannerisms and verbal repetitions.
• Sit up straight but comfortably.
• Do listen to the questions; it is all too easy to misunderstand what is being asked.
• Remember, some panel members may not be experienced interviewers and may not have phrased their questions well.
• Don't talk too much; if you are afraid that you may be too long winded you can always pause and ask, 'do you require further details?' On the other hand don't simply answer 'yes' or 'no'.
• If you do not understand a question, ask for further clarification rather than launching into an inappropriate answer.
• Give yourself time to think before answering; make sure you know where you are going before you start to speak.
• Don't be afraid to repeat information you put in your application; you cannot assume that all the panel have read it thoroughly, let alone remember what you said in it.
• The degree of specialist knowledge will inevitably be very varied around the interview table so beware of underestimating what they know and seeming to talk down to the interviewers.
• Talk rationally about yourself and others; a perceptive, balanced approach of your current job/degree course and what you made of it is far more impressive than either excessive praise or blanket criticism.
• Try to relax and be yourself and remember that you are qualified to do the job or you would not be called for interview. Somebody has to be appointed why not you?
• Be yourself! Be positive! Be interesting!

Prospects also has lots of advice on the interview process, including giving presentations, assessment centres and how to handle job offers.

Practice your interview technique

If you are going for a job or placement/internship interview, the Employability and Careers Service can give you helpful tips and practice questions to help you present yourself in the best possible way. We also offer full mock interviews and feedback.

Please contact us to make an appointment or email your query.

First Impressions Count is an online 20-minute DVD, by the University of Bedfordshire, produced to help students with the first stages of interview preparation. The programme features four students from differing subject disciplines who are getting ready for a range of graduate job interviews.

Be my interviewer has interactive videos, where you can practice and perfect your interview technique with the help of leading industry professionals, including Duncan Bannatyne from the Dragon's Den!