[RunningFree]

Do NOT voluntarily bring up your back problem for use as a sob story.

If they do ask you why you didn't do anything for a year, you can tell them about your back problem. But make sure to find something constructive you did in that in that time period, or at least make the recovery sound like you gained something positive about it... character building, etc. etc.

Nothing you can do about references... unless you want to put down character references, but only from people who are professionals. Ie. You have friends that are lawyers, doctors, VP, CEO etc.

Other than that... for the interview itself, you have to start strong. Be confident, be sure of what you're saying, if you don't have the experience, be honest but always tell them you're a quick learner and that you always challenge yourself.

Confidence, not arrogance, will go an incredibly long way and will often make up for some deficiencies in skill/experience. However, you can't be talking BS because they'll find out if they hire you... then subsequently fire you. :P

Good luck!

PS. Get your suit pressed, make sure your shirt is ironed, tie is done up right. Make sure you're well groomed and do a mirror check before you go in.