Prepare for the interview
You want to make the most of your interview, so don't waste the opportunity by not being prepared. Making sure you know enough about your prospective employer, have thought about the questions they might ask and have decided what to wear, will all help you to feel positive on the day.
Do your homework
The more you know about the employer, the more confident you'll feel. If they send you a company brochure or a detailed job description, read these through but also check out their website for nuggets of information. You may be questioned on what you know about the company and why it appeals to you, but if not, just drop it into conversation.
You should also prepare a couple of questions to ask your interviewer. If you do, it will show that you've really thought about the job and are confident of getting it. You could ask:
Why has the position become available?
Are there training opportunities to develop my skills?
How will my performance be measured?
Where does the job sit within the team structure?
Be presentable
Getting the dress code right for your interview can be tricky but if in doubt you should always steer towards the smarter options in your wardrobe. You'll want to be comfortable so ladies: don't wear excruciating high heels and men: don't wear your tie so tight that you can't breathe. The general rules for the perfect first impression:
Smile. It's simple, but when you're nervous you might forget to let your personality shine through.
Look good. Being smartly dressed and well groomed will show that you have made an effort.
Smell right. Obviously you need to smell nice but try not to wear too much perfume or aftershave.
Think positive
Everyone gets nervous at job interviews. It's just your body releasing adrenalin to help you focus and deal with the challenge at hand.
Try taking slow deep breaths while you're waiting to go in and use the nerves to give you that little boost you need to do well.
If you can, it's a good idea to have a dummy run before the interview, with a friend asking you the kind of questions you might be asked.
Finally, don't leave things to chance, prepare as much as you can, including a map, directions and transport - after all it's better to be 20 minutes early than five minutes late.