Employment figures are not at their most heartening. Despite assurances from leading economists that we may soon be able to see a way out of the recession, the truth is that for most of the people finding themselves without work there is very little in the way of comfort going around. The only general piece of advice that can be given for everyone at the moment is stick in there.

For those with job prospects, however limited, there may be hope however. There are things that can be done. Firstly, sort out that CV of yours. If you have a job interview already or are looking to get one then this needs to be perfect as it is the first thing employers use to sift out candidates. Make it neat, concise, short and relevant. If you are applying for a marketing job make sure that any relevant marketing experience is visible on the CV.

Next, the interview. These are incredibly important as they give bo0th you and your employer the chance to size each other up. There are many cases of candidates turning down employers after interview after a bad performance on behalf of the company. However, if you are keen on them then you must treat the interview as a crucial first impression.

The best advice is to show enthusiasm. If you are applying to a job you like then this shouldn't be a problem, but many graduates leave university expecting their perfect job and when this doesn't materialize they take the first thing that comes along regardless of whether they like it. Enthusiasm shows at interview so try and find something to get excited about.

The next thing to do is prepare. Interviewers are going to be interviewing a lot of people and the chances are you can guess some of the questions they are going to ask. Check the internet, speak to people from the company, people who have been recently interviewed. The more you know the better your position will be when you get there.

They try and catch you out so be careful. Some of the most predictable are the hardest to answer. The Guardian has indentified four of the most frequently asked questions, and a quick look shows they are not that simple. Tell me about yourself? Why do you want this job? What are your strengths? Why should we hire you? Basic stuff, but could you give a convincing answer without thinking about it?

Of course, not every question can be predicted. Many interviewers delight in asking off the wall and seemingly irrelevant questions just to see what candidates will do.

All in all, practice is good but don't memorise things. A question phrased in an awkward way may knock your perfectly scripted answer out of sync, but if you have done some practice then you will be able to deliver a smooth performance that shows you care enough to prepare but not enough so that you look like you can only read from a script. They want personality and adaptability, not someone who can regurgitate.