After securing your application with a well written CV, the next stage of the process is the interview itself. The interview is the best time to sell yourself and make an impression to get yourself noticed. It can be a nerve-racking experience but you can try and ease your worries by making sure you go into the interview prepared. Here are our top tips for making a good impression during your next interview.

• Research the job and the company: Take the time to find out who your potential future employer is and what it is that they do. Try and find some recent examples of work they may have done to show you have been following them closely.
• Dress appropriately: Try and find out what sort of company you are thinking of joining. If they are more relaxed you can try a smart-casual approach but if in doubt always over-dress. It is better to look too smart than to look too casual.
• Make a good impression: This can be hard if you are nervous, but always try to look happy, enthused and interested in job. Present yourself well, greeting employers with a firm handshake and be sure to listen carefully to what they are saying.
• Ask insightful questions: Beyond answering the interviewers questions, be sure to ask questions of your own. Try and have some prepared beforehand and ask anything that you feel has arisen as a result of the interview itself.
• Sell yourself: The interview is all that you have to prove why you are an ideal candidate. Don’t be afraid to talk yourself up, sell your skills and what you can bring to company but make sure you do so without sounding too arrogant.

These are just a few tips; many different websites, including the National Careers Service and The Guardian, have more information and articles for you to read. There is no such thing as over-preparing; the better prepared you are, the easier it will be to tackle your nerves. Remember, it’s not the end of the world, there will always be other jobs out there, just try your best and let your strengths shine through.