When interviewers ask you about hobbies it's because they want to know that you've got a life outside of work and are a person not a robot. Think of a bunch of interesting things that make you you and don't worry if you're not into more traditional hobbying like knitting or fly-fishing (though those are awesome, too!). Most employers look for well-rounded employees and nothing kills enthusiasm faster than finding out that a candidate has the personality of a slug.

Interview done and still dying to impress? Email is easy and quick but sending a card thanking the interviewer for her/his time shows more effort and will make you stand out. This is why you should also pay attention to the names of people interviewing you (ask at the reception desk if you're not sure) so that you can thank the appropriate parties. Keep things simple -- thank people for their time and say you're hoping to hear from them. Don't be sneaky and try to include a short version of your resumé -- they've got that part already.

Dressing up for an interview is still in. If you're not sure what to wear, keep things traditional and professional to be on the safe side. At the same time, don't be afraid to be more daring -- if you're applying to a more urban hip place (like an online business). Remember, what works in the advertising agency, may not necessarily work in a bank so it's best to call ahead and ask the receptionist to suggest proper attire. Bottom line -- keep things clean (clothes) and polished (shoes), no matter where you apply.

You might be a perfectionist but please don't tell the employer that when asked about a weakness – it's too phony and sounds like a cliché. Same with working too hard -- we all work too hard in these uncertain times. Instead, name a challenge that you've dealt with and tell a story about how you overcame it instead. You can try using the S.T.A.R. model -- Situation or Task, Action you took, Result -- to present something negative (a weakness) in a more positive light.

There is such a thing as stupid questions but what's worse is no questions at all. Don't let your shyness kill your chances when the interviewer suggests you ask him/her something about the position. Prepare for this before the interview and show your knowledge by asking about new developments, special projects, and anything that isn’t too common knowledge (so, yeah, research). Scratch the close-ended questions and avoid asking about salary.

Looking for a way to improve your interview skills? Be your own critic! Once you finish an interview, give yourself a performance review. Go over the interview and write down surprise questions, successful responses, alternate answers to difficult questions and any other thoughts that might help you the next time around. Use these notes to prepare for your next interview -- you’ll be guaranteed to do better having had this experience under your belt.

You just got a call back from that company you had the interview with and…you didn't get the job. Although you may be bummed out, transform this rejection into an opportunity for self-improvement. Politely ask the caller for feedback on your application and interview skills and the overall impression you made. Many employers will be happy to (briefly) discuss your strengths, weaknesses and suitability for the position. Use that feedback to make changes to your resumé, cover letter and interview behaviour so the next time you answer the phone, it's to say "yes" to a job offer.

No matter how attached you are to your iDevice, turn it off during a job fair or an interview. It's a big no-no to answer your phone while talking with a potential employer. If you're waiting for life-and-death sort of a phone call, do make sure it doesn't occur during the time when you're trying to focus on the possible employer. You're going to look rude if you answer a call and, yes, this applies to texting as well. Your busy little fingers may be extremely well-trained in seeming as unobtrusive as possible but they will be noticed and disqualified.

No matter how casual a job, it's never good to show up for an interview in a dress shirt that has holes in it or stains and wrinkles to rival a turtle. If you're not sure stay on the safe side and wear something you'd wear to a wedding (but not where you're the best man or the bridesmaid -- or the bride). Polish your shoes, straighten out your collar and, if you're on the Coupe Bizarre side of things, make sure your hair is at least artfully arranged into a Mohawk.

It's okay to fire off quick emails to your friends or co-workers but it's a different story when you're looking for work. Sending "thank u very much for the fab Interveiw" to a potential boss only serves to make you look careless, not carefree. So proofread each email for spelling or grammar mistakes and double check that you’re sending them to the right address. Additionally, make sure they project the right tone, choosing polished and polite over cute and casual.

Before going for a job interview, practise answering questions. Instead of getting stuck on "What is your biggest weakness?" and drawing a total blank, prepare an answer and give it with confidence. Think of specific questions that apply to the position and come up with answers that will show what a valuable employee you will be. Even if a question surprises you, having practised beforehand may inspire the perfect answer right there on the spot.

They don't want the dates or names but they do want to know the details about how you've helped your team to solve a problem. Instead of counting on a Eureka moment during the interview think up some specific instances of how you dealt with a work issue before the big day. This will help you give confident and clear answers. The worst thing is when you sit there stuck with your mind and heart racing as you can't recall a thing.

During your interview, only talk about things that relate to the job you are applying for -- previous experience, what you can bring to the company, how you deal in workplace environment, etc. You can share a funny, relevant anecdote but make sure it's kosher. If you're not sure, it probably isn't. No matter how laid-back the interviewer and the company may seem, keep your bar stories for the bar.

Things to do the night before the big day: check the time and location. Google-map the location. Check the weather predictions. Lay out your clothes. Go through your folder to see if you've got an extra copy of your resumé and portfolio. Most important of all: Set the alarm clock so that you'll have enough time to get ready, get out and get there on the day of. Never underestimate traffic and weather changes. The end result? Arriving to your interview on time.

In an interview, be the star of your own show. When describing projects you worked on as part of a team, focus on your unique contributions. It's fine to occasionally mention what "we" or "our team" did, but if you don't point out your specific abilities, the hiring committee will have no idea what you have to offer. While it's great to highlight that you're a team player, being too modest and not taking credit for what you've accomplished won't score you any points.

After handing in your resignation, you'd planned to ride off into the sunset. Instead, you've been invited to an exit interview. How do you handle this potentially sticky situation? Be prepared to answer questions about your overall job satisfaction and reasons for leaving. While you may have a list of gripes to get off your chest, always maintain a professional demeanor. It's fine to air your grievances but don’t get nasty. The best news of all: exit interviews are voluntary. If you don't feel like participating, you can decline. Talk about an easy exit!

You've got your eye on your dream job ... you're just not sure whether it's really as great as it seems from the outside. How do you find out? Schedule an information interview. By speaking with someone who does the job, you can ask questions, find out how to get your foot in the door and network, all in one shot. Remember to come prepared with a list of specific questions, keep the interview short (30 minutes or less) and be professional. Maybe you won't have to take that leap of faith after all.

Whether you're meeting with a hiring committee or sealing a business deal, a firm handshake always makes a good first impression. To get it right, grasp the individual's hand (not just the fingers) and squeeze for a couple of seconds while making eye contact. Although a limp handshake can be a real turnoff, crushing someone's hand isn't great either. So don't overdo it. Not sure how your handshake fares? Ask a couple of friends for their opinions. It's definitely something that's worth getting a handle on.

You're one of the lucky ones: your expertise and experience make you a real catch on the job market and you have four job interviews lined up. At the first, you get an offer that's too good to pass up, and you accept. You can't be bothered advising the others and simply don't show up for the interviews. Although you may think those companies are useless to you now, it's a small world out there. You never know when you'll run into those people again while doing business or the next time you're pounding the pavement.

For shy individuals, a job interview can be downright scary. Sweaty palms and a trembling handshake are not going to impress an employer, so at-home preparation is essential. Stand in front of a mirror and practise introducing yourself to your interviewer while smiling and maintaining good posture. Find a community organization that offers free practise interview sessions, and consider joining a toastmaster's club so that you can learn to speak with confidence. With the right prep work, you can curb your shyness and present yourself with poise.