Having made sure you know how to get where you are going for the interview, give yourself plenty of time to ensure you arrive early. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARRIVE LATE.  I have interviewed many people in my life, and as far as I can recall, I have only hired one person who arrived late. I gave him a real hard time, but he turned the situation round and did prove to be a very valuable member of my staff.

But don’t make things more difficult than they need to be at the interview!

However, arriving late shows lack of discipline and organisation and will, in 90% of cases lead to you being rejected after first interview.  Indeed, I know of many employers who will not even interview if the applicant is more than ten minutes late, and to be honest, I do not blame them.  Punctuality is a basic business skill.  The only way round this one is, if you are genuinely held up, is to make contact prior to your arrival, explain your situation to the interviewer and request a later slot.  Needless to say, you need to have the interviewers’ ‘phone number on you in case of emergency.

Being late will also put you under unnecessary pressure.  Running late means you will probably arrive hot and bothered, and probably flustered into the bargain.  This is hardly the recipe for you to perform at your best.

The Interview – Be On Time

So, be early.  It is better to be half an hour early, than 1 minute late.  If you are half an hour early, you can always go to the local coffee shop or even a MacDonalds, have a cup of coffee and relax for a few minutes.  Aim to arrive between five and ten minutes before the interview start time.

In most cases you will be nervous before an interview, and that is good.  If you really do want the job, you will be a little nervous. It sharpens the senses a little.  However, on no account, go to the pub to calm your nerves.  Not even for a half of shandy.  If an interviewer sniffs even the slightest hint of alcohol, you will be shown the door.  This is a complete NO NO.  Definitely no alcohol prior to the interview.  I have not had it happen very often, but when it has, it has resulted in rejection in 100% of cases.

If you are not kicked out straight away, you will prejudice your chances, as well as make the interview a lot more difficult than it need be.

Interview Questions

Another one to avoid, just in case you get tempted, is smoking in an interview. I know it seems obvious and most work places do not allow smoking on the premises these days, but…Even if you are offered, DON’T.  If you do, sod’s law will say there is no ashtray, and you will be left with a six inch cigarette of ash in your hand, or you will burn your tie or whatever.  Too much can go wrong with a ciggarette, as well as the fact that they kill you.  Refrain until you leave the building!

Chewing gum in an interview is also a definite no.  I have mentioned alcohol and cigarettes, gum just looks bad, makes it more difficult to talk and is liable to pop out when you least expect it.  Avoid it.  In all honesty, these are really just matters of common sense!

So, you have made it on time, you are super cool, have all the information to hand and you arrive on the scene.