DO:

Be truthful.

Listen very carefully to the question and answer it directly

Be polite & courteous at all times

Refer to interviewers by titles or surnames unless invited to be casual

Give reasons for leaving last job as:

new challenge/employer moving/downsizing/underperforming/few opportunities

Speak slowly enough that answers are not rushed, but clear and concise

Admit it if you don’t know an answer

Be positive about people/situations/challenges

Have positive goals

Demonstrate good communication skills

Be patient

Remain calm and polite even if questions are aggressive

DON’T:

EVER BE LATE or arrive too early

Speak ill or your former employer/co-workers

Betray confidences about other organisations/colleagues

Ask questions you should have researched in advance

Ask banal questions like ‘what is atypical day?’

Give reasons for leaving last job as:

Fired/conflict with co-workers or management/just want more money

Fill in every silence during the interview

Ask about pay too soon, or before prompted by interviewer

Ask about holidays or benefit packages

Look at your watch

Make notes at the interview

Speak too fast

Repeat yourself unnecessarily

Bullshit.

Try sales techniques to manipulate interview. The panel know them all

Be negative. Talk about solutions not problems

Give your opinions on sex, race religion culture age or your ‘hobby horses’

Use unnecessary jargon

Arrive unprepared

Appear disinterested in employer

Apologise or make excuses or appear evasive

Reveal failings or weaknesses of the past

Minimise your achievements ‘I was just a ….’