2. When greeting the interviewer give a friendly smile, a firm handshake and make good eye contact. Sit down when invited.

3. Adopt a relaxed but upright seating position. Do not slump in the chair and do not put elbows or arms on the desk.

4. Show a lively, positive interest right from the start and maintain it throughout the meeting even if you have prior reservations about the position or organisation. First impressions often form the basis of a later decision - if you are negative to begin with and later find yourself becoming very keen you may have left it too late. It is safer to leave any reservations until after the interview, at which time they can be discussed with your consultant.

5. Answer all questions fully but concisely. Do not over elaborate. Interviewers will want to hear about actual examples of your work experience. Try to arm yourself with a number of examples of your work, which might include situations which you have found challenging, interesting or in other ways illustrative of your experience. By the same token, try not to say anything for which you cannot give examples, if necessary.

6. Be honest at all times. Do not criticise previous or current employers. Nobody is impressed by disloyalty
Avoid putting yourself across in a negative light. Whilst you should be as open and honest as possible about your good and bad points, try to look for a positive angle on problems or weaknesses. For instance, this could be demonstrated through showing what you learned from a particular situation or challenge.

7. Do not take notes during the interview.

8. Use your normal speaking voice. Do not attempt to disguise regional accents.

9. Look but do not stare at the interviewer. Good eye contact is essential. If there is more than one interviewer ensure that you direct your discussions, unless specific to one individual, to the panel as a whole. Nobody likes to feel ignored.

10. Where appropriate, try to make good use of your research into the organisation by demonstrating knowledge during the interview.

11. Remember to try to get the interviewer to enjoy the meeting as well. The interview is very much a two way process and you may find that the person interviewing you is nervous as well.

12. Do not raise the topic of remuneration package. Wait for the interviewer to raise the subject first.
Make use of the opportunity to ask questions when invited during the interview and try to prepare some questions in advance.

13. If asked during the interview always say that you are interested in the position. Keep your options open for as long as possible.

14. Leave the interview in the same positive manner in which you arrived. Smile, shake hands firmly and thank the interviewer for his or her time. The way you finish may be the way you are remembered.

15. Above all, be yourself. Interviews are as much an assessment of personality, as they are of your legal knowledge / ability and the interviewer will want to see you as you normally are.

Before the Interview

1. Ensure you know all you can about the firm and the job you are applying for. You can gain valuable information from a firm's website, corporate brochure, colleagues’ knowledge and your recruitment consultant. Even if you do not have the opportunity in the interview to display your knowledge just knowing you have done 'your homework' will give you greater confidence.

2. Think about the type of questions that will be asked prior to the interview. Be prepared to discuss anything that is on your CV, in particular you may be asked about your reasons for leaving your current / previous employment. Do remember not to be too negative about a previous employer. If you are negative this will not help you present yourself as a team player able to get on with all sorts of personalities. You may get asked classic personnel type questions such as your strengths and weaknesses, if you think about this in advance it becomes much easier to back up your answers with examples. Always remain positive even when discussing your weaker points, indicate ways in which you can or have improved this weak area.

3. In the interview you are likely to be asked why you want to work for this firm/company. You need to give thought to this prior to the interview, if you don't know why you want the job you are unlikely to be offered the post. Don't be afraid to show enthusiasm for the position, as long as you don't go over the top this will work in your favour!

4. If the job involves your relocation, to persuade the firm you are going to stay long term you must demonstrate either that you have an interest/knowledge of the area (including cost of living considerations) or friends and family nearby and ensure this is stressed in the interview.

On the Day

1. Dress smartly and conservatively (unless you know that the dress code of the firm/company is different). Be aware of your body language, these are obvious points but if over-looked can be extremely detrimental to your chances.

2. Arrive in good time for the interview and if you are early take the time to sit in the reception area and get a feel for the firm/company. Ensure you are polite to everyone you meet (the secretaries’ / receptionist's opinions may be as important as a fee earner). If the meeting is delayed, try to stay calm and relaxed. If you show visible irritation the firm will pick up on this and this may make them re-consider whether you would be a suitable applicant for them.

3. Be prepared for anything. Although psychometric testing and other tests involving your legal skills are not the norm at first interview, they do happen. Your ability to not be phased by this and adapt quickly is as much a part of the interview process as the test itself.

4. Listen carefully to the questions and do answer the specific question put to you. If this naturally leads into another area you want to talk about don't launch straight into this area forgetting about the initial question. Answer the initial question first and then move on.

5. As well as being asked about your technical legal skills you may be asked about your business development / marketing skills and increasingly about your IT experience. For many firms business skills are as crucial as your technical skills. If the firm is looking to recruit a future partner you will need to demonstrate a genuine interest in the future development of the firm.

6. Don't panic if you are interviewed by an inexperienced interviewer who doesn't take control of the interview. Most solicitors/partners have never had formal training in how to interview, don't let this situation put you off. You can use this opportunity to gently guide the interviewer and concentrate on the areas you want to talk about.

7. Do ask questions (usually at the end of the interview). This is your opportunity to find out whether this job is for you. Remember this is a two way process and this is your chance to interview your potential new employers.

8. Be yourself. If you get the job you will be working with this firm/company for 5 days a week, you need to know your personality fits in with the firm's ethos and chemistry.

After the Interview

1. Later that day make short notes about the meeting, setting out the pros and cons and any points for future investigation.

2. Make an honest assessment of your own performance.

3. Discuss the meeting with your consultant as soon as you can. This will allow them to obtain feedback from the client for you and enable them to discuss any problems you may have in more detail.

Additionally, the firm/company will usually ask the consultant for your feedback and if you have not told the consultant you are interested it may give the firm the impression you are not that keen to get the job.

4. If a second interview takes place do not assume that you have got the job or radically change your approach or style. The second interview may well go over ground covered at the first meeting. Be patient in this situation and make sure that you give the same answer to the questions asked a second time. Try to plan for the second interview by following up points raised at the first and do not be afraid to go into some detail on areas that you feel have not been adequately covered.

5. If you have undertaken your job search thoroughly you will be fairly sure whether you wish to accept the offer when it finally arrives. If you are in the fortunate position of having several options to choose from do be open about it. If potential employers know you have other offers to consider alongside theirs they will usually be more inclined to allow you time to deliberate. Do not go to ground and avoid telephone calls as this will only serve to annoy everyone you are dealing with.

6. Above all, make use of the recruitment consultant's experience by keeping in touch with him or her on a regular basis and be as honest and open with your consultant as possible. He or she will have substantial experience in the entire process, from application through to placement, and making use of that experience will allow you to find the position that suits you best.