This is the most important thing you can do to eliminate surprises, establish confidence and ensure that you have a great interview. Make sure you know as much as possible about the company, the people you will be meeting and the specifics of the role you're being interviewed for.

Bring your CV

Maybe bring two. Never assume that your interviewer will have a copy. In addition to serving as your most important sales "prop" for the conversation, you will look extra prepared for those times when they do not have a copy.

If you look like you have forgotten parts of your own history or can't account for gaps of time between jobs you run the risk of looking like you are being untruthful, which can be fatal in an interview setting.

Find out the name and title of the person you are meeting.

It's also good to know how they are likely to interact with you in the role if you were to get the job. Once you have some basic details on your interviewer, research them on the Internet to find out what else you can gather about them.

Dress for the job

It is always better to be overdressed than underdressed.

Make sure you understand the question.

Don't be afraid to ask for clarifications if the questions are too vague. When you are giving answers, keep in mind that the most important part of each of your past roles is what you were able to achieve.

Make a list of the questions you want to ask.

If you have done your research, you should have a number of questions about the organization and/or the role. In this business I have seen people turned down for roles simply because they had no questions for the interviewers. How can they make a proper decision on their career without asking for more information?

Be positive

How you handled your last position, well or badly, and how you speak about it now gives the interviewer an insight into how you will speak about him/her and their organization when you leave.

Make sure you thank the person for their time.

This will allow you to gauge interest and timelines and, without it, you will not be able to judge how to approach other opportunities.

The most important thing is to be yourself, which will give everyone a better idea of whether you and this job would go well together.

(Contact gaoyuan@chinadaily.com.cn for questions and career advice)

Contributed by David Nie, manager of the operations and manufacturing division at Robert Walters Talent Consulting Ltd, China.