Watch your body language...

Over the years, lots of research has been conducted which confirms that what you do and how you look is as important as what you say in an interview.

Below are some helpful tips:

Do:

• Make eye contact with the interviewer when you meet and give them a smile. This makes you appear confident and relaxed.
• Shake the examiners hand.  Make it a firm shake, not too weak and not a 'knuckle breaker'.
• Address your answer to a panel of interviewers by looking at each one in turn when you speak.
• Relax, sit comfortably with good posture in your chair.
• Keep your hands calmly in your lap unless you are moving them to illustrate a point.  Only do this if you feel confident you can do it without looking nervous.
• Tilt your head to one side slightly to show interest in what the interviewer is saying.

Don't:

• Fidget - for example playing with your hair or twiddling a pen - it's distracting for the interviewer and makes you look nervous.
• Sit on your hands if you normally fidget.  Practice talking with your hands calmly on your lap.
• Cross your arms or legs - they are defensive body positions and suggest anxiety or a reserved attitude.
• Slouch.
• Move your chair, unless of course you can't see because of the sunlight.  In that case explain your reason for moving it.
• Cover your mouth while you speak, it suggests that you are lying, as well as muffling what you have to say.
• Stare constantly.