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The interview is your opportunity to show an employer you’re the right person for the job you applied for, so you need to make a good impression.

With that in mind, here are five mistakes you should definitely try to avoid making during that first meeting.

1. Over prepare or under prepare

It’s clearly essential to make sure that you do your homework before an interview – reading up on the company is important, as is making certain you are very clear in your mind about the job, what it entails, what the company is looking for and how you fit their needs.

It’s also vital you reread your own CV and application letter beforehand to make sure you aren’t caught out on anything you’ve forgotten to mention.

But just as it’s vital to prepare, it’s also important not to over prepare. Rehearsing answers to possible questions can sometimes mean you end up sounding fake, as though you’re reading from a script. It can also lead to you looking for ways to shoehorn in your rehearsed answers rather than responding to questions more directly.

2. Be a passive interviewee

Many people make the mistake of thinking that being interviewed is all about being asked questions. It’s not. An interview is very much about both sides finding out more about each other, and so it’s perfectly acceptable to ask your potential employer questions.

Often you’ll be given the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the interview, so make sure you take the opportunity to ask a few relevant ones. If you do your homework you can use this as an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge of the company and of the job, as well as finding out important things that could make a difference to you.

3. Be critical

It’s a mistake made too often – criticising your current or former employer and using this as an opportunity to demonstrate how much better your ideas are, how observant you are and how forward thinking you are. What it will actually do is make the potential employer nervous, seeing you as an awkward, critical outsider rather than someone who can work positively as part of a team.

4. Be personal, relaxed and chatty

It’s okay to be nervous at an interview. Nerves keep you on your toes, constantly judging how you’re doing. Being too relaxed can lead to you becoming too familiar or personal. Keep your private life out of the interview and be professional at all times.

5. Keep your phone handy in case you get another offer

It’s staggering how often we’ve heard of candidates glancing at their phone during an interview. We’ve also heard of several cases of people texting during an interview, and even answering the phone if it rings. Make sure that, well before you enter the interview room, your phone is switched off and out of sight.

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Though unemployment figures are falling, any jobseekers out there will know that bagging that perfect position can still be tough and competition for the best jobs remains fierce.

In recent years, many potential employees have turned to weird and wonderful methods to help them get noticed – some of which have proved to be incredibly successful and others… well, let’s just say they haven’t yet found the right outlet for their unique talents.

To avoid making any attention grabbing mistakes of your own, why not learn from the successes and failures of other job candidates with a quick look at the dos and don’ts of creative interview techniques.

Do be thoughtful

The candidate that presented their potential employer with a CV printed on a chocolate bar not only bagged themselves a job, they also provided a tasty treat for the tired and hungry interviewer.

Don’t be over familiar

Bringing a treat or two along to an interview can be great, but the candidate who purchased gifts from their potential employer’s online wish list came across as a little creepy.

Do put yourself out there

One jobseeker found a new position by wearing a homemade billboard outside their soon-to-be employer’s office. The company was so impressed with their initiative they promptly gave them a job.

Don’t put yourself too far out there

This is a tricky one to get right. Just the right amount of self-confidence can bag you a job whereas too much can quickly put a potential employer off. Just ask the candidate who backflipped into the interview room or the candidate who turned up dressed as a clown. Unfortunately, the interviewers failed to appreciate their talents and the job search goes on.

Do showcase your skills

One jobseeker spotted the perfect way to get noticed when a piece of office equipment broke during the interview. By showing initiative and skill in fixing the appliance, the candidate proved they’d be a great addition to the workspace.

Don’t try to show off irrelevant skills

As one candidate found out to their detriment, performing a tarot reading in an interview is neither appropriate nor relevant and is unlikely to bag you the job unless you’re interviewing for the circus.

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Landing the perfect job is harder than ever in the current climate, and while getting through to the interview stage is a great sign, it’s still not time to relax.

We all know that interview jitters can make it difficult to come up with great responses on the spot, so make sure you know what’s coming. The best way to prepare yourself for a difficult interview is to anticipate the questions your interviewers will ask you and have the perfect answers ready in advance.

Here are a few typical questions and advice on how best to answer them:

Q. Why do you want to work here?

Make sure you do a little background research about the company you’re applying to so that you can show you know what you’re getting yourself into. You need to demonstrate not only that you’ll fit in, but also that you understand its core values.

Q. How does your experience prepare you for this position?

You’ll need to rack your brains to think of all the ways you’ve demonstrated the skills your interviewers will want to see from you in previous jobs. You need to show that you’re capable of performing the duties that will be required of you, and the best way to do this is by showing that you’ve done them before. Make sure you use the best examples you have in every case.

Q. What obstacles have you overcome in your previous roles?

Many interviewers will want you to provide examples of obstacles and dilemmas you have faced in the past and to explain how you have overcome them. Everyone stumbles every once in a while; there’s no point pretending that you’re perfect. What your interviewers want to see is that you can recognise problems when they arise, take steps to solve them, and learn from any mistakes you do make.

Q. Why did you leave your last position?

Whether you’ve already left your old place of work or you’re simply looking to move on, your new potential employers will want to know why. Most employers will be looking for candidates who are prepared to stay with the company for at least a little while, and of course if you’ve been fired or let go, it’s important to be honest about it. Don’t hide the truth, but be proactive about assuring your interviewers that you can be with them for the long haul.

Of course, there are many more questions that your interviewers may ask of you; the best thing you can do is make sure you know your CV inside and out, and be clued up on the position you’re applying for.