This is the groundwork you need to do prior to the interview. If a recruitment consultancy is helping you in your job search, then you should have been fully briefed on the role and the organisation, but you should be able to demonstrate that you have done your own research. All of this will also help you to formulate some probing questions to ask the interviewer.

Explore the industry sector. Who does the organisation compete with? Where does the organisation fit within its own marketplace?
ensure you know about its products and services and think about new marketing opportunities
have there been any recent news articles about the company or industry?

Visit the company’s website, get hold of a copy of the annual report - look at growth figures, product pricing, product development, short term profit picture and check the current stock price read the Chairperson’s Report carefully - this should give you clues to the issues the organisation faces read any company brochures, press releases or product literature that you can get hold of network - other people are an excellent source of information

Re-read the job description carefully. Try to establish the key selection criteria. Consider how your skills and experience match these criteria. Think of relevant examples that prove your suitability. Imagine what the most tricky questions could be. Plan how you will deal with them.

If you have not had a professional interview for sometime, talk to your consultant about how best to sell yourself or do a practice run with someone else. Some people find it useful to tape or video themselves in preparation.

On the day

Make sure you have the correct address and time for where you will be interviewed.
Check the name and position of the interviewer.
If travelling out of the country, check all reservations and keep receipts and tickets.
Have a copy of your CV and any forms that the company may have asked you to complete.

Expect to feel nervous or apprehensive, this is quite natural and a bit of adrenaline can only make you perform better. Thorough preparation will alleviate some of the ‘butterflies ‘ and help you to enjoy your interview.