WHETHER you are experienced at interviews or going for your first one, it is important to put some thought into getting it right.

Being selected for interview means that the company is already interested in you. It is an opportunity to prove that you are the best person for the job, and this involves some work before you go.

Here is a guide to help prepare.

1. Find out about the company

What are its products/services? How big is it? Who are its competitors?

2. Find out about the structure of the interview

Most interviews follow a similar format:

a) Questions based on your CV to explain your career path and ambitions. Pick out your skills or achievements that are directly relevant, and rehearse these. Be prepared to explain any unusual parts of your CV, such as any time taken out from employment or education.

b) General questions about you. How much do you know about the job? What interests you about the job? What skills or experience do you have that make you right for this job? Why did you leave your last company? What interests you about this company? When have you had an opportunity to show initiative? Who and what were you responsible for in your last job? Can you give an example of when you coped well under pressure? Do you prefer to work as an individual or as part of a team? What are your three biggest achievements so far in your career? What do you see as your good and bad characteristics? What are your long-term goals? How are you going to succeed in achieving them? Are you considering any other jobs?

c) Telling you about the company and position.

Which department the vacancy is in, how it fits into the company. Who you would be working for and with?

d) Your questions.

The interview is a two-way process. At the end of the interview, the employer will usually ask if you have any questions about the job or company, so always prepare a few in advance. This is a good chance to clarify any points of doubt - after all, you need to make sure that the job is exactly what you expected and what you want.

Asking relevant questions shows you are interested, organised and able to plan ahead.

Salary and benefits are important, but an employer will be more impressed if you ask questions about the company and the job first.

Good questions to ask are about training opportunities, who you will report to, who you will be working with, promotion prospects, what the working hours are and if there are peak periods when you will be expected to work longer hours.

e) Informing you of the next stage of the process and when you will hear if you have been successful.

Whether there is a second or third round of interviews.