When the time comes along and you have been asked to attend an interview, it is completely normal to feel nervous. A lot of people get effected by nerves and when it comes down to the interview itself, preparing and practising can help you gain that extra confidence and give you a better chance of getting the job you applied for.

Every interview is different in its own way but there are some things that should be taken into consideration for all interviews – here we will go through the things that are worth noting when preparing for your big day.

Number one on the list is to dress smartly; this makes you look professional and prepared, and will also help you to feel more confident. In addition to dressing smartly, it also helps to make sure you know what you’re going to wear – get your outfit ready the night before the interview. Despite nerves, you should also ensure that you speak clearly and confidently when you talk to your interviewer(s) and answer their questions.

Along with making sure you look the part, you should also ensure that you have familiarised yourself with the details of the job role that you’re applying for and some basic background on the company. And remember to make sure that you know the time and place that your interview will be taking place – research where it is to ensure that you know how to get there and how long it will take you.

Most interviews will take the format of questions from the interviewer(s) – your answers to these questions are your opportunity to sell yourself to the company and show why you are the best candidate for the role. In preparation, try to think about the different questions that could be asked that are relevant to the role you are applying for. There is no point in trying to think of a question that is not related to the job role and its required skills, because it is not likely to be asked by the interviewer. Going through relevant questions will help calm your nerves and prepare.

During the interview, take time when answering questions – make sure you fully understand the question and can answer it clearly. It is also helpful to prepare a few questions of your own that you can ask at the end of the interview – this will also help demonstrate your interest in the job role and the company.

With this preparation complete, you should be ready for your interview, so be positive and remember that you wouldn’t have been invited for an interview if the company wasn’t interested in what you can offer. And just remember to keep your answers clear and relevant to the question, and turn off your phone before you go in to the interview!