Interview nerves the norm

If you can only remember two things before your first interview, let them be this: first impressions are lasting and it's okay to feel nervous.

Barry Hardy, manager for IT recruitment firm Auckland Dun & Bradstreet, says there are broadly two types of interviewee; the capable and confident, and the more reserved and less communicative. He says young people often fall into the latter category.

"Its critical graduate candidates present themselves in a professional manner in order to win the positions they want," says Hardy.

A few nerves may actually help. Interview coach and public speaking guru Maggie Eyre says it worries her when clients say they are never nervous before an interview or public appearance.

"If managed properly, feeling nervous takes more oxygen to the brain and can help people look awake and sound confident," says Eyre. She says people who say they lack nerves usually still have them, but cope by disengaging their emotions. This leads them to speak in a rehearsed way which doesn't work in an interview where the potential employer is looking for the candidate to reveal a little of their personality and respond naturally.

Of course, too much nervousness can make a person short of breath, stutter, or be rendered temporarily mute during an interview.  'He asked me a question and I knew the answer but my mind went blank!' is a common lament of the overly nervous. Eyre says the effects of extreme nerves can be overcome by breathing exercises and through rehearsing the interview process with friends and family. Most recruitment agencies are also happy to help good candidates prepare for a job interview by providing practice interview sessions.

Exercise, cutting down on caffeine and a good night's sleep also help reduce nerves and focus the mind and only occasionally an individual may need psychological help or speech therapy to perform well in an interview.

As for first impressions, these are more important than most people realise and include clothing, hair styles, jewelry, dental health, personal hygiene and grammar.

Beyond the way you look and sound, what you say in an interview is next most important. Sarah Lee, a director of IT recruitment specialists IT Maniacs, says even a good first impression doesn't cut it if an interviewee is boring or inclined to answer questions using pre-programmed responses. For example, Lee says if an IT candidate is asked why they want to work in IT, it isn't wise to give a pat answer such as'I like to bridge the gap between technology and end users'.

"Most IT employers will think 'Oh please think up a new one," says Lee.

Finally, it's probably not possible to over-prepare for an interview. In addition to thinking about how you will look and sound and what you will say, research the company you are applying to in advance by visiting its web site and scanning general news sites for extra information. While you shouldn't start spouting random facts about the organisation from the minute you walk in, knowing as much as possible will increase your confidence and the interviewer will be impressed.

INTERVIEW TIPS

* Call recruiters to express your interest in a position and let them know your CV is on its way.

* Verbally practice "selling yourself" by being confident about your achievements without sounding arrogant: talk out loud and get a feel for the tone of your voice

* If you have listed your personal 'selling points' or strengths in your CV, be sure you can back each of them up with real-life examples.

* Create an honest CV; it's perfectly okay to write 'time out for overseas travel' or 'time out for family'.

* Prepare follow up answers for questions your CV may raise. For example, 'so what did you find out about yourself when you went overseas?'

* Know your CV inside and out - you don't want the interviewer to mention a point in your CV and you respond 'where does it say that?'

* Look sharp, speak clearly; have excellent personal hygiene.

* Leave in plenty of time for the interview to avoid arriving stressed out.

* The ideal ratio of you talking and the interviewer talking should be about 50/50

* When answering a question, get to the point, don't waffle or mumble.

* Don't ask about money unless it is raised.