Most people are understandably nervous about attending job interviews - but this can be a controlled and made into a benefit towards honing your performance. If your nerves become overwhelming and actually interfere with your ability to perform well at an interview, then it’s clear that you need to take action to help you calm down. The best form of action to get rid of  pre-interview nerves is proper preparation.

Get Yourself Organised

The majority of time, you will have been a notified a few days in advance that you have managed to secure an interview and you can use this time to make your preparations. The better prepared you are, the more confident you will be and the fewer reasons you will have to be nervous. Do some research and find out as much as you can about the employer - what they do, where they are based, their reputation in your area - do you know someone who already works theres, if so quiz them. Go to your reference library and local job centre and of course, use the internet to search good sources of information. If you are applying for something completely new to you then also research details on the type of work you have applied for. Try to glean as much information from the job description and other paperwork the employer may have sent you to use in your research. Remember to make notes of any questions you would like to ask at the interview - employers will always ask 'Do you have any questions..' and will respect your thoroughness if you do bring up some reasonable inquiry.

Be Confident

A confident attitude shines through with people and generally brings out confidence in those around them. If your demeanour shows confidence the interviewer is more likely to believe in you and your ability to perform well for his organisation. Confidence is desirable but can be taken to extremes so don't appear over-confident to the point of arrogance - this will only alienate others and most employers will find it irksome at the interview stage

Expect to be Surprised!

No two interviews are the same and the tempo and content of each will be quite different. You may be unexpectedly asked to sit a written test or demonstrate you have skills required for the job - perhaps a typing test or showing your skill with a forklift out in the yard... The whole interview process may be quite informal and relaxed in a busy office or even a hotel but could very well comprise of a more formal 'panel' type interview with questions being fired at you from various people. Some companies like to make interviews a group activity with candidates working together in 'teamwork' scenarios designed to see how you perform. It may be that you are asked back for further interviews on another day, with little or no indication of how well you had performed at the first stage. Sometimes, people will not perform at their best simply because they were thrown into an unexpected situation and would have been so much better with a little fore-knowledge of what was asked of them. You cannot be expected to cater for every possible interview scenario but be aware that the interview may have a few surprises in store - the answer is to relax and let the employer see that you are prepared to take on the challenge to your best ability, even if it falls short of success on this occasion.

Getting to the Interview

It is crucial that you prepare for travelling to the interview and make sure you know:

• Where you are going, how you are going to get there and where the employer is located - perhaps in the middle of an industrial estate or tricky location. Don't forget the obvious but if have to use public transport ensure you know where the bus/train stations are and accurate times.
• The interview time and how long it will take you to get there especially if you are relying on public transport.
• What the name of your contact is and telephone number in case you are delayed. The unforeseen can happen causing you a delay and its important you can get in touch with the interviewer to let them know.
  
• Who will be interviewing you may not be the same as your contact person so make sure you have the right name.
  

What Questions Will be Asked?

No one except the interviewer will know exactly what questions will be asked but there are certainly major questions that will definitely come up. Prepare answers to the following questions beforehand:

• Work experience - who have you worked for, what did you do, what did you enjoy, what were you good at, why did you leave or why do you want to leave now?
• Why did you apply for this position?
• What do you know of this company and why do you want to work for us?
• What can you bring to this job that makes you better than the other applicants?

Dress for the Part

It is well known that first impressions make a serious impact and its likely that the interviewer will reach an opinion about you within 30 seconds of the interview beginning. Make sure that you are smart and presentable - shoes polished, tie straight, bright eyed and bushy tailed! Have a practise dressing before the day of the interview to give you time for minor repairs if needed. If you're feeling good with your appearance it will help you to be more confident and relaxed.

Positive Impressions

The following tips will help you make a positive impression:

• Smile and shake hands with a firm grip but not overpowering. Acknowledge all interviewers that are present.
  
• Speak up - don't mumble and maintain eye contact whilst answering all questions.
• Don't answer with a simple ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ - be expansive without chattering on unnecessarily.
• Never lie at an interview or suggest you have skills that you cannot prove.
• If you are asked if you have any questions, use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your thoroughness in preparing and ask questions about training, people you will be working with, the job specification etc. Questions about pay and holidays can wait until last.
• If you feel you have some aptitude that illustrates an important aspect of your ability to do the job, don’t be afraid to bring it up yourself at the end of the interview
• Ask when you may find out about the outcome of the interview and when you can expect to hear whether you have been successful.
• Be courteous and remember to thank the interviewers for their time before you leave.

Interview Day Arrives..!

You've prepared well and have given yourself plenty of time to get ready. You've organised all the paperwork required - exam certificates, records of achievement, testimonials, a copy of your CV, the interview letter - even a map if necessary and anything else relevant to the interview. Time it to arrive about 10 or 15 minutes early and this will let you sit and relax a little - perhaps a cup of tea or coffee offered by the receptionist would help..plus a visit to the toilet for last minute checks on your appearance. On arrival give your name to the receptionist if there is one and let them know who you are meeting. Above all relax and remember it is normal to feel nervous at an interview - everyone does. Undoubtedly you will feel more nervous than your appearance suggests and to some extent the interviewer may be as nervous as yourself and will understand that you are likely to be on edge.

Personal Safety

There are a few simple rules which should always be adhered to which will ensure your personal safety:

• Always tell a friend or relative where you are going and what time they can expect you back.
• Never agree to be interviewed in a car park or over a private meal. The interview should be held at the organisation’s premises or in some other public or official place.
• Always arrange to have someone pick you up if the interview is taking place outside normal office hours. Never let the interviewer drive you home.

The Waiting Begins..

Generally you will find out within a week or so of the interview if you have been successful or not, unless they have specified otherwise. If not then don't be afraid to telephone the organisation and enquire politely whether a decision has been reached. If you have been unsuccessful, then treat the whole interview exercise as a valuable learning experience and try to identify areas where you feel you could have done better - don't denegrate yourself as it may simply be there was a better applicant for the same job and you didn't do anything wrong.

Certainly do not be down hearted and take the experience and lessons learned on to the next interview.