As can be seen from the above statistics, first impressions count- people tend to form an opinion of someone within a few minutes of meeting them.

It is therefore important to dress appropriately and present yourself in the best possible light. Arrive on time, be pleasant and make a good impression on everyone you meet.

Dressing appropriately

It is important to create a professional impression at your interview.
You should feel comfortable and confident in what you are wearing.
Different industries may have slightly different dress codes; nonetheless it is always wise to err on the side of formality.

Body language

Start and end the interview with a firm handshake with the interviewer(s).
A friendly expression, occasional smile where appropriate and good posture will indicate a positive approach.
Don't fidget.
Maintain good eye contact- if there is more than one person interviewing you, look at the person who asked you the question when responding, but glance at the other interviewers from time to time.
Leaning forward shows you are open and interested.
Uncrossed arms indicate a willingness to listen.

During the interview

Be convincing with your answers and able to back them up with real life experiences.
Be enthusiastic, positive and natural in your answers.
Pay careful attention to the questions they ask, not the ones you wish they had asked.
Don't be afraid to ask for clarification if you do not understand the question.
Speak slowly and clearly .
Expand upon your answers- never just answer yes or no but avoid going off on a tangent.
Be truthful but positive- if you have to present negative information (for example a past failure) say how you have learned from it or how you overcame it.

Does your answer have the 'STAR' quality?

Situation- did you describe a relevant situation and is it clear?
Task- what was the objective of the situation or task?
Action- how did YOU go about tackling the situation and what was YOUR role in this
Results- what was the outcome and were your objectives met?

After the interview

Reflect on your experience and what you have learned.
What are your impressions on the employer? Do you want to work for them?
Make a note of the questions asked for future reference- could you answer them better next time?
Ask when you should expect to hear back from them. If they have not contacted you within this time frame try contacting them to find out about your progress.
If you are unsuccessful, ask them for feedback to see how you could improve next time.