The key thing to remember is that you have been good enough to get to this stage. Interviews aren’t designed to trip you up or catch you out. The company will be interested in you and they want to find out more about your qualifications, skills and personality.

Selection centres, aptitude testing and psychometric testing are tools that recruiters are increasingly using to build up a better picture of applicants’ abilities. Although there are tips that can help you improve your performance, you shouldn’t feel daunted by them – they are designed to help you demonstrate your skills.

Preparation is the key to a successful interview. By preparing properly, you can be more confident, less nervous and better able to impress.

If you haven’t done so already, use the Internet to research the company. Find out about its corporate objectives and company culture and read any recent press releases. Learn as much as you can about the market sector the company operates in and who its competitors are.

Don’t forget that the interview is a chance for you to find out about the company as well as for them to find out about you. Read the job description again. Think up some questions you could ask, such as, ‘What opportunities are there for me to develop my career?’ or ‘What training would you provide?’

Write a list of examples to illustrate your experience and skills. Having some good examples in your head can help you talk more fluently and confidently about yourself. Focus on positive examples that show you in a good light – either something you succeeded at or an experience you have learned from.