Job interviews are all about the preparation. From planning your route to researching the company you're hoping to work for, there are plenty of crucial things that need to be considered.

However, with so much to think about, it can be easy to forget a few basic preparation steps that could hinder your chances of success if overlooked.

Be well fed

You might not have much of an appetite if the thought of your interview has got your nerves racing, but it's important to try and eat something before you get underway. It will be harder to concentrate if you're feeling hungry and there are few things more embarrassing than an audible stomach rumble in the middle of an interview.

If your interview is in the morning, make sure you have a good breakfast before leaving the house. Should the interview be in the afternoon, have lunch beforehand to make sure hunger has no chance of holding you back. Staying hydrated is important too, although most interviewers will provide you with a glass of water or other drink.

Head to the bathroom

Ideally, you should be arriving at the destination of your interview around ten to 15 minutes early. This will give you time to pay a quick visit to the bathroom. There's nothing worse than needing the loo in the middle of an interview to take the opportunity to use the facilities.

While you're in the bathroom, you can also give yourself one last look over in the mirror to make sure you're looking your best. It won't do your chances any good if you go into the interview with a bit of food stuck on your face or a shirt button undone, so take this opportunity to keep you appearance a quick spot check.

Know your interviewer

This isn't always possible, but if you can, try and find out a little bit of information about the person who is interviewing you. LinkedIn is a godsend here, as by simply searching for their name there's a good chance you'll be able to find out a thing or two about your interviewer. Getting to know the person who you'll be speaking to might help to calm your nerves, while it could also provide some useful talking points.

Obviously, you don't want to come across as some sort of cyber stalker, but if you can subtly make it clear that you've done your research on LinkedIn, it will demonstrate you've taken a very thorough approach to your preparation.

Think about how you'll finish

When preparing for your interview, it can be worthwhile to take a little bit of time to think about how you'll finish things off. Make sure to ask when you can expect to hear back and if you haven't had any response by this time it could be worthwhile to get in touch with the company via phone or email.

Another tactic you could try is sending a follow-up email after the interview itself. This should be kept simple, just saying something along the lines of 'thank you for your time' and if you have any more questions do not hesitate to ask. Doing this will keep you in the forefront of the interviewer's mind and makes your interest in the role clear.