Interviews can be intimidating, but with thoughtful preparation, you’ll have a much better chance of landing the job. Here are some tips for success:

Preparation
Pick up a brochure at the human resources department, and spend some time researching on the Internet, to find out as much as you can about the position and the company. While you’re researching, think about how your experience will match the needs of the company, and start to formulate any questions you have for the interviewer.

Think about how you would answer open-ended interview questions such as, “tell me about yourself.” Know what you can offer the company by making lists of what your skills and traits are and trying to match them to what the company is looking for in an employee. The closer your skills and traits are to the job description, the better chance you have of landing the job.

Prepare questions of your own. Employers are as interested in your questions as they are in your answers. And they'll react favorably if you ask intelligent questions about the position, the company and the industry.

Make travel arrangements for getting to the interview and make certain that you know exactly how to get there. If you plan on driving, make certain ahead of time that you have enough gas in your car. If you’ve never been to the location before, you may want to drive there the day before to avoid any potential confusion.

Confirm child care plans and any other plans which leave you depending on someone else. Just in case, have a back up plan in place.

Make sure that you print out several clean copies of your resume to take with you.

Decide what you will wear and check that it is clean and pressed with no missing buttons.

The Interview

If your interview is in the morning, get up with sufficient time to get ready, eat breakfast, and even take a walk. This will help you wake up and be able to think more clearly.

Arrive at the interview a few minutes early, but no more than 10 minutes early. When you meet the interviewer, introduce yourself saying, "Hello, my name is ________." Use your first and last name. Look the person in the eye and speak clearly. Offer them a firm, solid handshake, and don’t be afraid to smile! Smiling expresses friendliness and enthusiasm.

Most interviewers form an initial impression within the first five minutes of meeting you, so make sure that you:

• have a well-groomed professional appearance
• use make-up, jewelry or strong scents conservatively
• use make-up, jewelry or strong scents conservatively
• introduce yourself in a relaxed and confident manner
• sustain eye contact
• refrain from chewing gum

Throughout the meeting, make sure you have good posture, which will communicate that you’re interested and excited about the job. Listen to the interviewer when they talk – don’t interrupt. If you listen carefully, it will help you formulate more thoughtful and appropriate responses. Avoid looking around the room while you’re talking because that can communicate nervousness. Feel free to gesure with your hands or use them while you talk, but do so in moderation. Also avoid fidgeting, which communicates nervousness.

It’s important to be diplomatic – never make negative statements about previous jobs or employers. No matter how bad your last job or boss was, there is probably something good you learned from the experience, so emphasize the positive.

At the end of your interview, don’t be afraid to say, "I really want this job; I know I could make a real contribution."

After the interview, write a thank-you note to every person you met at the company. In your letter(s), be sure to re-emphasize the skills you would bring to the position. Thank them for their time and ask if it would be acceptable to call later in the week to learn how their search for a candidate is progressing. That candidate may well be you!