Although it can be a nerve-racking experience you should think of your interview as your time to shine. First and foremost you have to be in a positive frame of mind. Good preparation can help this massively so make sure you are absolutely certain of where you have to go. Planning your route on a map and verifying you know where in the building you need to aim for can help put your mind at peace.

With the commercialisation of the internet there is no excuse for not knowing the background of the company. Primarily, why would you want to work for a company you know nothing about? You should want this company as much as you need them to want you. Secondary, you will require some knowledge on the business for the interview. Familiarise yourself with their clients and competitors, make a mental note of one or two that you are impressed with and can raise in the interview. For example any charitable work they have done, or environmentally friendly projects they have been involved with are always good. Then bring these up in the interview. This will demonstrate you have taken an active interest in the company's performance and history as well as showing your keenness for corporate responsibility, which is an important issue at present.

Prepare some questions you want to ask the interviewer. Think along the lines of, what can this business do for me? Ask them on the progress of the company, any plans for expansion? Or, where they see themselves in 5, 10, 20 years time? Perhaps try to investigate the role you are applying for in some more depth, such as what does the on-the-job training consist of? What day-to-day responsibilities will you be managing?

It is also important that you know what is going on with current affairs. Although an interview is a far cry away from a general knowledge test it is highly likely that they will ask your opinions on the present state of some issue that is relevant to the industry. For example, if you are going for a job with a graphic design agency, they may want to know your views on the Olympic 2012 logo. If you strike up conversation on a mutual interest that is relevant to the company for which you are applying, then exploit the subject as much as you can don't stray away from the discussion. If your interview lasts longer than you expected, that is generally a good sign.