Preparation, preparation, preparation

Like any other business meeting, preparation is essential for an interview. I would expect any candidate to have a good idea of the size of the business, who it is owned by and the scope of the job required, especially if it is a promotion or a new job function.

But good candidates, the ones that succeed in almost every interview they attend, will do some serious research. They arrive prepared with a pretty good knowledge of the market, of the company's role within it and they will have some ideas of where it is likley to be heading.

You can Google much of this, as you can the name of the person interviewing you. But you can also call the company - ask them to send you as many details as possible beforehand, even if it is just in the way of a company brochure.

And if it is a dealer role you can visit the business, mystery shop it, cast your professional eye over it. Don't be too critical unless the interviewer is, but let them know there are probably some areas that could be tidied up a bit (there nearly always are) or, if you are genuinely impressed, let them know that too. But show that you have done the research.

Be prepared, this could be the most important day of the rest of your life, you have no excuse for letting yourself down.