The things you shouldn’t say, or do, in an interview are easier to spot:

– Don’t walk in an say ‘you look nice’ to an interviewer – that’s not flirty, that’s creepy.

– Don’t slag off your current boss. Telling anyone that your boss is an idiot actually makes it clear that you’re the problem.

– Don’t ask how much its pays. Wait til you’re offered the job before wondering about that.

– When you get the inevitable question ‘where do you see yourself in 5 years time?’, don’t say ‘in your seat’. if it’s a joke, it’s not funny. If it isn’t, it’s threatening.

– Then you’ll be asked why do you want to leave your job? Don’t say ‘because I hate it’. Not unless you want to sound like a fifteen-year-old kid, anyhow.

– After that, it’s ‘what are your shortcomings’. Don’t say ‘I have none’ and don’t say ‘I work too hard’ to some such false modesty. Either way, no-one will believe you.

– Ask why their results are tanking. Don’t get all negative on them. No-one likes that.

– ‘How much holiday?’ ‘Can I work from home?’ Did you really think they’d like that?

– ‘You’ll regret it if you don’t hire me’. Don’t tempt them to try and find out.

– Don’t say ‘I have no questions for you’. Think of something, it can’t be that hard.

Preparation, clearly, is key. Get some questions down (make some notes if necessary), and also avoid the other key mistakes – make eye contact; sit up straight; don’t fiddle with your hair; dress well.

It’s all common sense – sound like an intelligent, curious human being, dress like a smart version of someone normal and pay attention to the people in front of you.

If all that seems tricky – then this, from CollegeAtlas, can help. Your print-out-and-keep study on how to look employable. Give it a try.