Start by writing rough notes of how you would introduce your background, ask your questions and answer the interviewer’s questions.

Whenever possible, put your practice interview on tape. Remember, rehearsing in your head isn’t very helpful; experienced presenters know that the only way to really prepare for a presentation is actual oral practice. When reviewing your practice interview, pay attention to what you said and how you said it, and modify if necessary.

In any interview, you communicate on at least three levels:

Non Verbal:

Body language, inflections, tone of voice. Open body language and direct eye contact are important.

Verbal:

Information conveyed by your words

Meta-Messages:

The message conveyed by your choice of word (and by those you omit), as well as by the sequence of your ideas when giving your answers.

For example, do you focus on what you didn’t like in past jobs and are you defensive in your answers to questions, or do you emphasise what you would like better and find more fulfilling in a new opportunity? If you want to portray yourself as an independent, hard working, positive self-starter, choose the appropriate words to convey that image.