This is make or break time, not just for you, but for the interviewer as well. It is your task to convince them that you are the right candidate for the job and that you can fit into their team. It is their task to look for the right quality of applicant.

Interviews are important because there is only so much employers can tell from CVs, covering letters and application forms. When there is little to choose between paper qualifications, it is the person who shows they are the brightest candidate at interview who will be offered the job.

Here are some useful tips on how to succeed at interview:

• DO prepare in advance. You should have researched the company before applying for the job, but make sure you learn all you can before interview from the company's website and brochures.
• DO create a good first impression. Research shows that 68% of first impressions are formed by non-verbal factors. It is often thought that many interview decisions are made in the first four minutes. Give yourself a head start: turn up on time, dress smartly, be clean, tidy and look alert. A smile, a firm handshake and a confident approach will all give the right signals.
• DO rehearse. This isn't acting, but going through answers to common, tough questions makes you more likely to give articulate answers. Be prepared for questions such as "Tell me about yourself" and "Why do you want this job" and be able to give fluent and interesting responses.
• DO realise that although an interview can often feel like an interrogation by an individual or panel, it is a two-way process. Have your own list of what you want to cover and think in advance of some astute, open-ended questions to ask. The interviewer will have prepared questions and possibly a form to fill in, but they will expect you to contribute.
• DO sell yourself. Positivity and confidence are vital because the point of an interview is to convince the employer you are the right person for the job. If you don't believe it, how can they be expected to? Talk about your strengths and achievements and give examples, but be factual.
• DO NOT go into the interview under the impression that the job is already yours. The employer will be interviewing more than one candidate for the position, and their applications have also been strong enough to be selected. If you don't prepare properly, someone else will take your chance.
• DO NOT get out of your depth. If you don't understand a question, politely tell your interviewer. It is better to indicate that you are unsure of something than flimflam an answer unrelated to the question asked. Pausing before you answer questions indicates thoughtfulness and is good practice.
• DO NOT take over the interview. You are there to sell yourself, but it is the interviewer who is the buyer. Take opportunities to show you have done your homework, but don't force your research on the interviewer, simply include it in answers to appropriate questions. Don't be afraid to refer to figures if you know them, but avoid producing reams of paper and charts. It is unwise to provoke or argue with the interviewer.
• DO NOT depict yourself negatively. It is likely you will be asked about your weaknesses, so think about them in advance, but turn them into positives by explaining how you are addressing them. Don't volunteer negative points unless specifically asked to do so and certainly avoid speaking negatively about former employers.
• DO NOT ask direct questions about salary and benefits. You will get to do this if you are offered the job. However, have an acceptable salary range in mind should the interviewer broach the subject.

Remember:

Think Positive: It is normal to feel nervous. However, try to keep a positive attitude. Only a small proportion of applications reach the interview stage and employers will not waste their time talking to someone they don't think is capable of doing the job. You have already impressed them.

Organisation: It is vital to prepare well in advance. Give yourself plenty of time to reach the venue and take pride in your appearance. Brief yourself about the company and the position and practice answers to common questions. Your aim is to give yourself as many advantages as possible over other candidates.

Gratitude: Employers will naturally favour candidates they like. Thank the interviewer for their time both before and after the interview.

Other forms of assessment:

Companies are increasingly using telephone interviews as a way of sifting out unsuitable candidates before a formal face-to-face interview. They are a time and cost effective way for an employer to test your verbal communication skills.

Prepare for them in the same way as face-to-face meetings. The only major difference is that the employer can't see you, so it is important to pay special attention to your voice, both its tone and clarity. Standing and smiling during a telephone interview helps you sound confident and positive.

Have the relevant paperwork at the ready so you can quickly refer to the job advertisement, your CV or your covering letter. Remember to make notes during the call as they help you prepare for a face-to-face interview if one is arranged.