1. Use Body Language to Your Advantage 

In interviews, actions can speak louder than words. Body language has a huge impact on how the interviewer perceives a candidate, so it's important to be aware of your body language from the moment you enter the building. If you want to make a good first impression with your body language, then these are a few key tricks to have up your sleeve...

Mirror the Interviewer

Bear in mind that this doesn't mean to copy their every movement! A lesser known (yet incredibly effective) technique is to mirror the interviewer throughout the conversation. You have to do this subtly, otherwise you may seem a bit too intense. By mirroring a nod, or the strength of a handshake, you will be able to create a mutual ground by copying their positive body language.

Make Eye Contact 

Whilst this can feel uncomfortable to some, eye contact is the best way to show that you are engaged and listening to the interviewer. It also shows confidence, which is an extremely admirable quality within a candidate. It's vital to strike a good balance with eye contact, as you don't want to come off as too intense. The best way to do this is by holding eye contact for a few seconds at a time.

2. Answer Honestly 

Interviews are high-pressure environments, so it's no surprise that a few people let white lies slip about their job experience here and there. After all, an interview is a test of adequacy for a particular position. If you feel threatened or underqualified, it's natural to want to start blagging. 

You can differentiate yourself from untrustworthy candidates by being entirely honest about your experiences. This doesn't mean that you need to relay your life story to the interviewer, but this does mean that you should be truthful about a situation or experience if asked.

Honesty truly is the best policy. Ultimately, your interviewer will be looking for somebody who is reliable and honest. Be that person, and make your interviewer believe it!

3. Have Questions Prepared

If you arrive to a job interview with no questions for the interviewer, then you have made a rookie error. This is one of the techniques that will clearly set you apart from other candidates. At the end of an interview, the interviewer will usually open the floor for questions regarding the job experience, the job position, and anything else about the company.

Always use this opportunity to come up with 4-5 interesting questions for your interviewer. By doing this, you will appear as enthusiastic, engaged and prepared for the role. Not only will this make you look good, but it will also help you gather more detailed information about the job and its responsibilities.

A few good questions to ask your interviewer include:

Are there opportunities for progression and training within this role? If so, what? 

Can you describe your job in three words? 

Can you tell me more about the team I will be working in?

How can I impress you/my manager in the first three months?

4. Arrive on Time 

By arriving to your interview on time (or, even better, early!) then this will allow you to appear professional and punctual. Punctuality is key, and it's especially important when making your first impression in a job interview. If you arrive late and seem rushed, then you will inevitably come across as disorganised and disrespectful to your interviewer.

When your interview time and location has been confirmed, make sure you plan your journey to arrive around 15-20mins early. This will allow enough time for a stress-free journey. The last thing you need before an important job interview is a stressful commute!

5. Thank The Interviewer

You can do this in-person once the interview has ended, or you can email the interviewer once you get home. A sincere thank you, or a thank-you note, is a way to show appreciation for the time the interviewer spent with you. Interview processes are arduous, and you will probably make your interviewer's day by thanking them! Not only is it polite and kind thing to do, but a note of appreciation is also a great way to reiterate your interest in the role and the organisation.