Dress appropriately: At the very minimum, this means smart casual. However, it’s probably better to wear a business suit.

Body language: Your non-verbal communication is just as important as your words. Sit up straight and maintain eye contact with the interviewer(s). Avoid fidgeting and keep your hands visible. And don’t cross your arms; this is a defensive pose.

Chewing gum: Don’t chew gum. Chewing can suggest boredom or a lack of focus (and is unprofessional).

Mobile phone: Switch your mobile off before the interview and keep it switched off during the interview.

Equipment: Always have a copy of your CV, a calculator, two pens and a notepad to hand.

Polite: Be polite to everyone you encounter. Those involved in the recruitment process will speak to a number of stakeholders to gain a better picture of each candidate. For example, the assessors may speak to the receptionists. These are key allies to make, as they are gatekeepers.

Thought process

Some questions are designed to understand your thought process. For example, “How would you increase subscribers to Sky Sports in the UK by 20%?”. Try to talk through your thought processes. In this instance the candidate could say: "I’d start by breaking the problem down. First, who are Sky Sports’ current subscribers? Second, who are the potential new subscribers? I’d then look at different segments. For example, football fans, casual viewers, students or families. Then, I’d think about levers to grow each segment. Maybe cheaper mobile-only packages for students?”.

Active listening

This is the skill of fully concentrating on, understanding and responding thoughtfully to what someone is saying. 

Active listeners often paraphrase or ask clarifying questions to show understanding.

For example, if an active listener didn’t understand a question, they might say, “Could you please rephrase that question so I can make sure I’ve understood it correctly?”.