Whether things aren’t going as planned, or you feel like you need a new direction, job hunting can be a pretty daunting task. And with Christmas looming, it’s not the greatest time to be looking for new job. So when the folks from City Calling (a jobsite that helps people ‘find their calling’)got in touch, I agreed to share my top tips on how to nail your next interview. I don’t think it matters how many times you’ve been for an interview. They’re always pretty nerve-wracking. But there are 5 fail safes I always rely on to make sure I’m on top of my interview game.

Do Your Research
Yeah if might sound like a bit of an obvious one, but it works whether you’re simply applying for a job, or you’ve made it to interview stage. Research is key. Make sure you know who the company are and what you’ve got to contribute. At work I get a lot of prospective emails from people looking for work. And one thing that sets you apart is knowing your stuff. If you already understand who the company is and why you’d be great to work for them, then it can make all the difference.

Wear Something Sensible
Ok, so another obvious one. So you’ve gotten the interview, and you’ve spent a week prepping the perfect outfit. Sure, you want to look your best. And you want to look smart. But if you feel a bit wobbly in those new heels, or they’re giving you blisters just walking out your front door, maybe rethink them. While you want to look great, wearing something that’s smart but comfortable can automatically help you feel more relaxed.

Get Organised
So you’re applying for a pretty high stress job, you want to show you can multi task, cope under pressure and manage your time like a boss. Great. Did you check where your interview was happening? Did you make sure you have everything you need to bring with you? Did you definitely iron that shirt last night? There’s nothing like proving the skills you have on paper. And if you show up for the interview a dithering mess without a clue, it’s not going to do much to prove how well you can handle yourself. Not to mention the stress that running backwards and forwards because you haven’t got properly organised beforehand will cause you. And that’s before they’re even grilling you with tough questions.

Be On Time
My friends sometimes joke about the fact I’m always running at least 15 minutes late. It’s not really a joke. Most of the time I am. But when it comes to job interviews, client meetings or anything professional.. Punctuality is a massive bugbear for pretty much everyone I’ve ever worked with. Yeah accidents and freak instances of apocalyptic style weather happen. And most reasonable people will let you off. But people are busy, and they don’t want to sit around and wait all day for you. So if you’re not sure where you’re going or how long it will take you to get to the interview, set off early. Being late makes you look disinterested and uncommitted. Because if you can’t show up on time to sell yourself as the perfect candidate, you’ll have a hard time convincing your interviewer that you’ll be an exemplar employee.

Act Confident
Sure your hands might be shaking, and you might have to cough over your quivering voice. You might be mega prepared for this but you’re bound to be nervous. It’s ok, just don’t let nerves get the better of you. There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’ve worked your arse off preparing for an interview, only to go to pieces on the day. Chances are, the more prepared you are, the less nervous you’ll be. But there’s simple things that I always think help me stand a little taller. I always find something that helps me is making a conscious effort to put something on that I know looks good. Whether that’s your outfit, a signature scent or a bright lipstick that will give you a boost.

And remember, if you’ve gotten as far as interview stage then you’ve done most of the hard work. You’ve managed to set yourself apart from a whole other pile of papers on your interviewer’s desk. So now, try to stay calm and let them see exactly why you’re the perfect person for the job. Good luck!