Ok, so you’ve been looking for a job and been offered to go to an interview… Maybe it’s for a part time job whilst being a student, maybe it’s for a job soon after you graduate or maybe it’s for your dream job. Whatever the job, you should treat each interview the same! Here are the key things you must do at every interview to increase your chances of being successful.

1. Do your research

Always make sure you do your research on the company before the interview. This is to not only understand what the company is about, but also learn some of the keys points you may be asked about in the interview. If you do your research and learn important facts about the company, you will be able to recite the what you know with ease and will be less likely to panic in the interview. This will not only make you come across to the company as a confident person but also someone who shows genuine interest in the company!

2. Entrance

What… Entrance… What are you talking about…? Ever watched WWE when a wrestler enters the ring? Or a band walks on stage? Entrance is everything and will give a lasting impression! So, when you walk into the interview room you need to make sure you enter with confidence, a smile on your face and as you approach the interviewers make sure you say hello and give them a firm handshake. This will show the interviewers that you’re not only calm under pressure but also serious about the role at hand.

3. Ask for water

Now before you think it’s to stay hydrated, that’s good, but that’s not it. The reason why you should ask for a glass of water is so that when the interviewers asks a question and you are not sure hwo to respond. taking a sip of water will allow you to collect your your thoughts and then reply. Once you get into the habit of doing this you will stop saying, “urm” every time you don’t have an answer straight away to a question asked. The interviewers would much rather wait a short time whilst you think up an answer that’s precise and structured rather than just saying the first thing that comes to mind.

4. Bring Evidence

Bring along certificates, records of achievement, projects or anything that could help your cause when showing the interviewers that you’re perfect for the role. When applying for jobs many companies like to see what you’ve done to show that you have a real interest in the field you’re looking to go into. So, using your portfolio can put you head and shoulders above your competition.

5. Be Yourself

Lastly, but by no means least, be yourself! When preparing for an interview you want to make sure you do your very best… For example, rehearsing potential questions, but you must not forget who you are. At the end of the day, these interviewers are people too and aren’t just looking for a robot that can do everything required in the job. They are also looking for a character, someone with real flare who stands out to them. Now this won’t happen by just being polite, professional and knowing what to say, this will happen by you being yourself and the interviewers loving your personality as well as your job potential! So, make sure you be you and leave the interview knowing you did your best!

To conclude, make sure you not only follow these tips but find what makes you perform best in an interview. Everyone has that daunting first experience, and we all learn from trial and error. So be prepared for rejection but even more determined to succeed! As Albert Einstein said- “Anyone who has never made a mistake, has never tried anything new”.

Billy Green is a StudentJob blogger, he is currently at Liverpool John Moore's University studying Mechnaical Engineering. You can read his blog here, follow him on Twitter and watch his YouTube videos.