You may find the STAR technique useful: situation, task, action, result. It provides a clear structure to your answers and means you won't go off topic.

^ This. I work in HR, and all of our interview questions are designed to get these types of answers. Best predictor of future behaviour is past behaviour, so instead of saying "I'm always organized, a real go-getter, self motivated", say "Well I have a great example of my abilities in that area, when I worked on the ABC project, I designed the project plan and set measurables to mark our progress, and when Jody, my supervisor was away sick, I looked at what her objectives were for the day and coordinated the crew to share the responsibilities so we wouldn't get behind schedule".

Be on time, 5-10 minutes early is preferable. Have a copy of your resume, references, letters of recommendation etc.. KNOW what is on your resume, if you get asked a question about something on there you don't want to have to say "oh uhh... whatever dates I put down there, those are correct".

Try to prevent "going down rat holes". Answer the question with relevant details, stay on topic.

No matter how familiar you are with the people there, do not revert to less formal conversation styles. You can be relaxed, but if you wouldn't use slang in an interview with strangers, don't use it there.

I wrote this awhile back and posted it to Facebook.

At the interview (all things that have actually happened)
... 1 - Don't stare down at your hands the entire time / pick at your hands or clothing

2 - Don't make sexist, racist, ageist comments, no matter what the environment

3 - Don't swear

4 - Make eye contact with ALL of the interviewers

5 - Don't be late, google the address ahead of time, and give yourself enough time for there to be 2 accidents at every single tunnel/bridge/major road crossing. Bring a book to kill time when you get there early

6 - Know what you've put on your resume! If asked a question about when you worked for XYZ company, or what you did, it looks really bad to say "uhhhh...whatever I put on my resume"

7 - Give examples of what you've done. Don't say "I always pay high attention to detail", say "Attention to detail is a strength of mine, on the XYZ project at ABC company I implemented reconciliation protocals to ensure there were no errors before presenting the report to the big client"

8 - Even though recruiters are legally supposed to disregard this information, do not mention your current or past medical conditions/concerns, or family matters

9 - Have a real idea of where you want to be in 5 to 10 years. Don't be generic, we've heard it a million times, show us you actually have thought about your career path

10 - Remember your interviewers names and address them by name at the end of the interview when you thank them - makes a big impression



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"Planning to not succeed is stupid. If it doesn't work out, I'll make a new plan then. But I'm not starting out with a plan to not succeed."