Ready for your close-up? Top tips for your job interview

So we might not want to take any job advice from a washed-up maniacal movie star in the classic film Sunset Boulevard, but actress Gloria Swanson’s portrayal of Norma Desmond, so desperate for a return to stardom that she draws all around her into a maelstrom of histrionics and death, is a lesson to us all.

Like Norma, we all want to be ready for our ‘close-up’ – though it’s more likely to be a departmental chat than Norma’s delusional encounter with news reporters eager to catalogue her demise – but there are wiser ways to prepare oneself than slinging back cocktails, applying lashings of eyeliner and shooting your stay-at-home toyboy.

So how to hit the high-time whilst avoiding the Hollywood hysteria? First things first, unlike Ms Desmond, it pays to know exactly what the rules of engagement are. Know your strengths and your ambitions: then search for jobs accordingly. A website like reed.co.uk is the perfect place to start. Once you have a good idea of the shape of the market, you can get your CV out there and prepare for that face-to-face meeting.

And how to impress when you do get to interview stage? Confidence is key. Whilst appearance is definitely a factor, there is more to self-assurance than looking good. Whether you’re having a job interview for a new position or internal review for promotion, it is essential that you are familiar with the job criteria of your prospective post – and that you are confident to communicate the work you’ve already achieved.

Make a list of projects or positions which you have held that directly correspond to the specifications of your potential new job. And go further – create another list with possible future activities; consider how you would achieve these future goals, what they would bring to your company, and why you think they are important.

This kind of forward-thinking is often invaluable in distinguishing yourself from the crowd. Nothing stands out like showing initiative: employers love to see enthusiasm and fresh ideas from their employees. Make sure you have prepared questions for your interviewee – and possible future projects or ways to develop the work of the department. This counts more and more the higher up you go, where your position will no doubt carry a greater amount of responsibility. And finally, get there early, stay calm and enjoy yourself!