DO – Dress appropriately. Just because you're going for a position in travel doesn't mean you should turn up wearing a Hawaiian shirt. That half hour face to face with your would-be employer can either make or break you, so you want to make a good first impression and what you wear is important. InPlace Recruitment director Sandra Chiles urges discretion. "I once did a Skype interview and the candidate was naked from the waist up. It was a male thank goodness, but no Hugh Jackman," she said. Additionally, clothing that is extra bright or trendy can often be distracting so keep it simple and professional.

DON'T – It's ok to be enthusiastic about the job, so don't be an introvert. Employers like to see an interest in the company and that you look forward to starting work. Chiles said that the main thing she looks for when hiring is "attitude and aptitude. The rest can be trained. If you are not really interested in the role then don't arrange an interview." If you show you are passionate, something as simple as this could potentially set you apart from the rest.

DO – Be ready to talk about yourself. Before you get there make sure you know exactly what the position requires so you can have an idea of what the employer is looking for. This way you can sum up your best attributes by describing your skills that relate to the job. This stops you from rambling about experience that is irrelevant or uninteresting to the employer. "Be prepared to refer to situations you have overcome and personal achievements as employers commonly ask behavioural focused questions. Try to use specific details such as dates, times and places as this will add to the credibility of your response," said Chiles.

DON'T – It's not wise to dash for the door too soon. When your interviewer has finished asking questions be prepared to ask your own. This shows that you're interested and eager to learn more about the company. However, Chiles stresses applicants "shouldn't display an attitude of what can you do for me?'" Do your research before you get there so you don't waste anyone's time asking questions that could easily be found on the company website. It's generally not the best idea to ask about taking holidays at the interview stage either.

DO – Think about possible questions you could be asked and be prepared for the unexpected. Often a question like 'What are your weaknesses?' can be a Catch 22 and you don't want to dig yourself into a hole. However, with some thought, you can be strategic in choosing a weakness that could be beneficial for the job at hand. If you're asked 'Which animal do you most resemble?' then you have license to be as creative as possible but be prepared to justify your answer. AA Appointments managing director Adriana D'Angelis suggests applicants stay focused. "Always listen to the question and answer it. Often interviewees will go off on an irrelevant tangent," she said. Being prepared will help stop you from mental blocks. "Practise answering questions with a friend: nerves can really affect an individual's performance," D'Angelis added.

DON'T – Be sure not to conclude before asking when you can expect a response. This is the most common mistake that people make when an interview is over. If you don't get a prompt reply, make sure you follow up the interview with a formal phone call at least a week later. D'Angelis said one of her biggest pet peeves is "being too familiar and using casual language", so ask politely to speak with your interviewer to establish how you fared. And if you do get the position, resist being overly exuberant. A firm handshake should do the trick.

DO – Be honest, at least to a certain extent. Don't admit to an interviewer that you lost your last job due to an office affair or for spiking your boss's coffee. If you're asked why you want the job and you're thinking that God sent you, maybe keep that to yourself until after you've been hired and then you can shout your hallelujahs. "Don't lie, answer all questions truthfully but never make derogatory remarks about your current or past employers." If it's the job you really want you shouldn't need to fake it too much during the interview. Try to be yourself without making it too personal.

DON'T – By all means, do not have a big night before the big day. There's nothing worse than walking into the interview looking unkempt and staring through bloodshot eyes. "Don't come to the interview smelling of tobacco or alcohol and absolutely not under the influence of drugs," warned Chiles. If you reek of alcohol it doesn't matter how well you respond to questions because your first impression of being hung over is what will stay in the interviewers' mind. Getting a good night's sleep and eating a healthy breakfast before the interview will hold you in good stead.

Muffing the interview

Having interviewed thousands of candidates for all sorts of positions within the industry, Adriana D'Angelis of AA Appointments had one, ahem, standout candidate.

"Without going into too much detail, a few words of advice to those who are involved in group interviews, especially when they include team exercises and role playing. It is probably not a good idea to wear a short skirt, without appropriate underwear."