How to Have a Good Job Interview

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• Of course, the initial challenge is to be called to interview in the first place. This means that you need to give your application form time and care.
  • Don't write it; type it.
  • Don't make spelling mistakes; ask a friend to check it.
  • In my experience, it is utterly amazing the number of applicants who simply submit a standard curriculum vitae or resumé without making any effort whatsoever to tailor the application to the organisation and the post.
  • The organisation advertising the post should send you a person specification and/or short-listing criteria (if they don't, ask them). You should address each and every point in the person specification or short-listing criteria showing how you meet the requirements. This will maximise the chance of you being called to interview.
• The key to a good interview itself is good preparation:
  • research thoroughly the industry or sector, the company or organisation and the particular job, making particular use of the annual report & accounts, the web site and current newspaper articles;
  • prepare an informal opening and closing statement that emphasises why you want the job and why you think you are particularly well qualified to be chosen.
• On the day before the interview, read your application form again, since many of the interview questions are likely to draw on the content of your application and you need to remember what you have written and think about what might be raised as a result.
• On the morning of the interview, check the newspapers and the Internet for any last minute developments affecting the organisation you are visiting or the industry in which you are interested in working. This will prepare you for any questions on that development and give you an opportunity to mention it if appropriate.
• Dress smartly. Even if the dress code is casual for the organisation concerned, it always pays to be smart for the actual interview.
• Be in good time. Try to identify a local café so that, if you are really early, you can go for a drink and take a last look at your notes.
• It may seem totally obvious, but switch off your mobile or anything else (such as a pager or digital watch) that might make a noise. I once chaired an interview panel for a senior executive position and, in one of the interviews, the interviewee's mobile went off twice (he didn't get the job).
• If you are anxious about interviews, when you are actually called into the interview room, take two or three slow, deep breaths to calm your nerves and your breathing.
• As you are introduced to the interviewers, shake their hand firmly, look them in the eyes, and say that you are pleased to meet them. These first few seconds are so important in creating a favourable impression. Remember: you don't get a second chance to make a first impression.
• Answer the questions in a confident, firm voice. Don't mumble or rush or be too hesitant.
• Answers should not be one word or one sentence, but equally should not go on too long. If you have a lot to say, having made the main points, you could finish by saying: "I could expand upon that, if you wish".
• When answering the questions, maintain eye contact with the interviewer(s). If there are two interviewers, give them equal attention. If there are three or more, slowly sweep your eyes from side to side like a radar beam.
• In the answers to your questions, make selective and relevant use of the information from your preliminary researches and casually mention at least some of the sources you have used. For example: "I was interested to see in your annual report …", "I noticed on your web site ..", "I was reading an article recently that said .." This will impress the interviewer(s) with your knowledge, your research and your keenness.
• Don't waffle. If you don't know, say so.
• Never, ever lie.
• Almost certainly, the opening question will be a general one along the lines of: "Will you tell us why you applied for this job/why you want this job/why you think you are suited for this job". You should be ready for this question by having mentally prepared a short statement that provides the three or four key points in your favour. Think about how you would expand on each point if asked to do so. If you are aware of the short-listing criteria for interview, this opening statement should address the specific requirements set out in the short-listing criteria.
• If the organisation concerned is a commercial one, this opening statement should identify with the product or service that is at the core of the company's activities. For instance, "I'm excited by the possibilities that software presents for giving companies a really competitive edge".
• If the organisation concerned is a political, campaigning or voluntary one, this opening statement should identify with the values of the organisation. For instance, "I've always believed in ... because ..." or "I really care about ... because ..."
• If you are not asked this kind of opening question, you should gently take control of the interview by, as soon as possible, saying something like: "Perhaps you would like to know why I applied for the job". You can then use your opening statement.
• Most of the questions you will be asked can be anticipated so, in advance of interview, think about the likely questions. Then plan how you would answer them, making notes in the form of two or three (or occasionally four) bulleted points which you should memorise - not word for word, but point by point.
• Many of the questions you will be asked will arise from what you have written in your application so, shortly before the interview date, read over your application again and think about how the interviewer(s) may wish to probe for further information.
• Think of the worst question you could be asked. Again plan how you would answer it. Then this question - and any other - is not going to be that tough for you.
• Think of actual experiences that illustrate the qualities that you would bring to the job. A good interviewer will not ask the obvious or leading question such as: "Do you like teamwork?" or "Can you cope with stress?". A clever interviewer will instead ask: "Can you give me an example of how you have worked in a team and tell me how you interacted with the other team members?" or "Can you tell me a time when you were under particular stress and explain to me how you handled or resolved it?" 
• Read more:   Resource: http://www.rogerdarlington.co.uk/Interview.html