An interview process is probably the most nerve-wracking thing you will ever have to endure, no matter how many interviews you have done before. The key to a successful interview is planning and research. Here are 10 must-dos during any interview process:

1. Be respectful: respect is very important during any interview. Remember that you need to show respect to not only the interviewer but also to every single person you meet even before you go into the interview room. Be kind and courteous regardless of who you come across. You never know who you might interact with or how it might benefit your chances of getting a new position.
2. Arrive on time: this is extremely important. Be sure to arrive at least 10 minutes before your interview which should give you plenty of time to prepare and to go through any questions you would like to ask. Rather arrive a little bit earlier than arriving late. With that being said, try not to arrive too early as this may look like you are desperate or appear over-eager for the position. Also, research exactly where the venue is located so that if you are able to you can do a drive-by to see where the company is located. While doing this, keep in mind alternative routes that you can take if there is traffic or an accident on the day, then you will have a backup route that you can use.
3. Dress appropriately: this might seem strange but first impressions are important as well. The way you dress tells the recruiter or employer a lot about who you are as a person. Hence it’s always a good idea to dress smart for any interview. If you are unsure of what to wear, you can always have a look at the company’s website to see how the people are dressed to give you an idea. Rather be overdressed than under-dressed. Remember that you would like to leave a lasting impression on the recruiter or employer both before and after the interview. You want to look smart and professional at the same time.
4. Extra resumes: it is always a good idea to bring along a copy of your resume when you go for an interview so that you are prepared. The recruiter might have a very old resume which you might have sent them a while ago so in this case you would have your updated resume available to give to the recruiter so that they have the updated one. Rather have an extra copy of your resume than arrive with nothing in your hand.
5. Etiquette: you need to remember that with any interview, you need to behave and act in an appropriate manner. Every single workplace might have different values and even ethics when it comes to certain topics. However, when it comes to interviews, you need to keep in mind that you could potentially be sitting with an opportunity and you need to do your utmost best to show the recruiter how and why you would be the right person for the job. Remember to nod occasionally during the interview to show that you understand, smile from time to time, and remember to keep your body language open. Refrain from slouching in the interview chair. Rather sit up straight. Maintain eye contact as this shows you are interested in what the recruiters have to say.
6. Research 101: you might think that this is unnecessary but rest assured, this might actually save you time and energy if you put the effort in. Take your time and do in-depth research about the company. Find out the types of projects they are involved in, how the team is promoted, and how the team created the company. Do not forget to research commonly asked interview questions. This might sound like a lengthy process; however, it is so worth it. There is nothing more nerve-wracking than sitting in an interview room, being asked a question and you sit there with a blank look on your face – because you had failed to put in the research on commonly asked interview questions. Do yourself a favor and research as much as you can so that you can prepare yourself 100% for the interview to ensure success.
7. Do not be afraid to ask questions: remember that not only are the recruiters asking you questions but you can also ask them questions. Keep in mind that an interview is a two-way street. The recruiter is trying to find out as much information as he/she can in order to create an image about the type of person you are:- How do you handle stress, what are your strengths and weaknesses, etc. You should also have a list of questions to ask the recruiter so that you can get an idea of how the company operates and how they handle certain situations so that you can determine whether or not you would be a good fit for this company. Do not ask unnecessary questions such as: will I need to do XYZ? Would l need to work in a team? Ask the questions which are important to you because you will be working there, not anyone else but yourself. You also know yourself best so if at any point you feel uncomfortable during the interview or you get negative vibes, put it in the back of your mind and after the interview is complete you can make your analysis and see how it will go from there.
8. Be honest and positive: honesty is the best policy. Walk into the interview with positive vibes and a positive upbeat attitude. You can also say a few positive affirmations in your head on the way to the interview or even whilst you are waiting to be interviewed. For example: I am going to have a successful interview. I am going to land this job. I am successful and I am happy. Always answer interview questions truthfully. Never ever lie about your qualifications or anything else on your resume because the chances of a recruiter trying to hire you after discovering you lied, are zero.
9. Take notes: this might sound really ridiculous but it could potentially assist you even more in planning how you would answer certain questions in the future. You might not be able to physically write down the questions and how you answered them. However, after the interview, you can send yourself a voice note or even record yourself stating everything that you can remember from the interview, including all of the processes they went through from the beginning up until the end of the interview. In this way, you can take a step back and analyze how you answered questions or even your responses to the questions that you were asked. Keep in mind that you might not always be successful at some of your interviews, which is why it is so important to strategically analyze how you answered the questions as well as where you can improve your skills when it comes to handling interview questions.
10. Thank the recruiter or employer: this is a very important part of any interview process, irrespective of whether you get the position or not. Do not forget to thank each and every single person who was involved in the interview process with you. Thank them for making the time available to see you for an interview. Remember to send a thank you note to the recruiter to thank them for their time. If you have not heard back from the recruiter for a few days, you could always send them a follow-up email to confirm where exactly you stand in terms of the position.