Last week we looked at all the ways to help you to get motivated to follow your career dreams. Now, we take you through the steps of being interview-ready for when that perfect job opportunity arises. Presentation and preparation are key and corny as it may sound, the saying ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail’ certainly rings true in this instance. ____________________________________________ Preparation, preparation, preparation It might sound obvious but preparation is key before a job interview. Make sure your CV is up to date with no spelling or grammar errors. Print off a copy of your CV and have any other relevant work ready and well presented to show a prospective employer. Dress for success It’s amazing what clothes can do for your confidence and if you dress right for an interview, you will already have quashed some of those pesky nerves. Make sure you dress professionally in order to make the right first impression. Remember, if you would wear it out on a night out, it’s not right for an interview. Research and learn There is nothing worse than going into an interview without knowing the history and background of the company you are interviewing for. Find out who is going to be interviewing you and know their background and any key successes in their career. Research the company itself, how it was founded, who founded it and how they have grown since. Timing is key Make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to get to the location of the interview. Take into account factors such as traffic, delays and unexpected incidents. It is better to be really earlier than to rock in late. Smile your cares away The easiest way to make a good impression when you go into your interview is by smiling. If you get flustered, tongue-tied or make a mistake, take a deep breath and smile. Take a minute When we are nervous, a lot of us are prone to answer with the first thing that comes into our heads. In an interview, take your time. Once you have been asked a question, gather yourself, take a moment to think about what you want to say and then begin to talk. Questions at the ready Prospective employers always appreciate an interest in their business or industry. Make sure you have at least one question ready to ask them at the end of your interview – preferably two. This shows that you have an interest in what they are doing and the job itself. And remember, if at first you don’t succeed… Try, try again.