Top tips on how to land your first job

Insights into interview techniques for students.

Are you leaving university soon? Are you worried about how you're going to cope with the gruelling process of filling out job application forms and interviews? If so you're not alone, according to new research a lot of people stumble through the interview phase. A surprising four out of five confess to have cried, fallen over, spilt coffee on themselves or had a coughing fit during an interview - leaving a less than desirable first impression! Nearly two in five people also admit to lying in interviews and 18% have yawned their way through the process. A bold one in twenty have actually walked out mid-interview because they were less than impressed with the experience.

Obviously if you find yourself in the interview seat in the next couple of months then we wouldn't recommend any of the above as a plan of attack. According to the research by Sainsbury's, who believe that having an affinity with the people you work with means you get more done and have more fun doing it with people who share your attitudes and values; there are some simple ways of engaging with the interviewer. Almost eight out of ten said that they maintained eye contact to create a connection with the interviewer and respondents also sent positive body language messages by smiling (78%) and offering up a firm handshake (58%).

You might also want to be careful about what information you put up on social networking sites. Over a quarter of respondents admitted they didn't edit content on their online profile despite the risk that an employer could stumble upon it. Social networking is a great way to enhance relationships with potential co-workers, however it pays to bear in mind what kind of information and pictures you're uploading and who is going to view them.

To improve your chances take a look at the following tips:

Research the company before you get there. They're unlikely to have prepared a pop quiz on their corporate history but exhibiting a bit of background knowledge will show them you're dedicated to getting the job and will help with that much-dreaded So why would you like to work for us question.

Check and double check the time and date of your interview. Turning up an hour (or a day) late does not make the best first impression.

Pay attention to your interviewer. Asking them to repeat a question because you zoned out or calling them by the wrong name is not likely to result in a call back.

Check your appearance before entering the interview. Is everything buttoned and zipped?

Be friendly to everyone as soon as you enter the building. You never know, you might be chatting to the CEO without even realising it.

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