Relax, this isn’t really cheating. It’s simply a checklist for bossing your interview by making sure you stay focused before, during and after.

From common mistakes to typical questions that employers will usually ask, UK-based Headway Recruitment has come up with the following infographic. Titled The Cheat Sheet For Bossing Your Interview, it details useful strategies and etiquette to take note of during a job interview; body language, common questions, common mistakes, and useful tips will help you in bossing your interview.

Whether you’re searching for your first job or changing careers, you’ll shine in your next job interview by staying positive and overcoming negatives. By preparing for each and every job interview, you’ll show your future bosses that you’re smart and ready for anything. Take a look:

Bossing your interview

Body language

1. Make eye contact
2. Don’t slouch
3. Use hand gestures to show enthusiasm
4. Smile
5. Don’t touch your face
6. Try not to move about nervously
7. Mirror your interviewers positive body language

Common questions

1. “Tell me about yourself”
2. “What are your strengths?”
3. “What are your weaknesses?”
4. “Why should we hire you?”
5. “What are your goals?”
6. “Why do you want to work here?”
7. “What are three positive things your last boss would say about you?”
8. “What salary are you seeking?” (You might actually see this one disappearing over the next few years)
9. “If you were an animal, which one would you be?”

Common interview mistakes

1. Lying
2. Slating your current company or boss
3. Being rude
4. Complaining
5. Talking about people you don’t get on with at work
6. Not being prepared
7. Appearing either too nervous or too confident
8. Making a weak first impression
9. Not having researched the company you’re applying to
10. Putting your foot in it and not noticing

Tips for bossing your interview

Do your research
Fail to plan, and you plan to fail. You’re certain to be asked specific questions about the company, so make sure you’ve done your homework. Also take a look at the latest developments in the industry so you can converse with confidence.

Practice your answers
Although there’s no set format that every job interview will follow, there are some questions that you can almost guarantee will crop up. You should prepare answers to some of the most common interview questions about your personal strengths, weaknesses, as well as being able to explain why you’d be the best person for the job.

Look the part
Appearances shouldn’t matter, but the fact is that you’re often judged before you utter a word. Make sure your shoes are polished, your clothes fit correctly, and that your accessories are subtle. Dressing one level above the job you’re applying for shows a desire to succeed.

Stay calm
Good preparation is the key to staying in control. Plan your route, allowing extra time for any unexpected delays and get everything you need to take with you ready the night before. Remember to speak clearly, smile and remember that your interviewers are just normal people, and may be nervous too.

Source: http://www.headwayrecruitment.co.uk/the-cheat-sheet-for-bossing-your-interview/