Assess existing staff and the corporate culture by doing your research about the company and the role you’re seeking before the interview.  Doing this will help you come up with questions to ask during the job interview.

An impeccable appearance will improve your confidence, according to Wendy Green, author of “50 Things You Can Do Today to Boost Your Confidence.”  Dress in a manner that is appropriate for the role for which you are interviewing, ensure that

your hair is tidy and clean your fingernails. Keep jewelry, visible tattoos and piercings to a minimum.

To show your interest and knowledge in the job and company, prepare questions to ask your interviewer. Show interest in the interviewer by asking questions such as, “What is your favorite part about working here?” and “What does the typical day-to-day look like for someone in this role?”

Although arriving late is largely avoidable, it’s still a common complaint among interviewers. Do a spot of reconnaissance first so you know where (the company) is, how to get there, where to park or what the public transport links are. If you are delayed for some reason and will be

at least seven minutes late, show respect by calling the company and asking whether you should attend or reschedule.

Hiring managers say failing to make eye contact is a mistake made by 68 percent of job candidates, according to a survey conducted by Harris Poll on behalf of CareerBuilder.  Not making eye contact during an interview could imply that you’re not paying attention.

Additionally, nearly 40% of candidates fail to smile.

Find out the names of your interviewers ahead of time and research their areas of expertise. To really knock an interviewer’s socks off, when responding to one participant, refer to another by name. 

Think about the important skills you want to convey, and rehearse a few anecdotes that demonstrate your professional aptitude. You should already have a lot of this prepared before you go into the interview, but there is nothing wrong with rehearsing it so it is fresh in your mind.

In deciding how to prepare for an interview and predicting the questions that might arise, try to determine what the questions are really asking.  So when you’re asked to describe your greatest weakness, remember that the interviewer wants to see if you can

demonstrate a commitment to personal growth.

During an interview, it’s important to stay focused on the questions the interviewer asks. In other words, don’t ramble.  When asked a question, take a moment to think about the question and how you plan to answer. Keep your response short and to-the-point, and don’t let your

example or anecdote go on too long. By staying on topic, you prove to the interviewer that you can remain focused, calm and articulate in a high-pressure situation.

Here’s a not-so-secret tip for job seekers: Most employers want to hear that you will assimilate quickly and effectively contribute to the company’s future.  Address these issues, and you might just get your dream job. Tip the scale in your favor, too. Apply to

industries that need more workers and are hungry to hire.

If you tend to display nervous habits during job interviews, a mock interview with an associate, college professor or even a friend can help you recognize those habits and eliminate them.

Preparation is the key to confidence. Boost your confidence level by arming yourself with the best ammunition — robust, rehearsed and relevant responses.  Understand your prospective role and provide concise examples that support your suitability. Using

quantitative measures in your responses can help you sound confident, as well.

Use a strong voice if you tend to speak quietly. Hansen’s recommendation is to avoid “pause words and phrases, such as ‘uh,’ ‘ah,’ ‘um,’ ‘like,’ ‘you know.'”

During the interview process, ask insightful questions to determine if you are a good fit with the company’s culture. If you believe you do fit the culture, make sure the interviewer knows this by showing enthusiasm and interest.

You will most likely be asked, “Why are you looking to leave your current company?” So, it’s important that you prepare a positive response to this question — even if you hate your current job. Whatever you do, don’t complain about your employer, colleagues or assignments.

It’s a known fact that we relate to others who remind us of ourselves. So, establish a connection with your interviewer to increase your chances of being selected. Research your interviewer on LinkedIn and Google to find a common factor that you can mention early in the interview.

Charm can work wonders in an interview. Try to ask insightful questions not only about the position but the interviewer themselves.  By asking about the person’s career trajectory, how long they’ve been at the company and what they enjoy most about it, you

can gain insight about the company and make a valuable contact — whether or not you land the job.

Thank every interviewer with a smile and a strong handshake. After the interview, send a follow-up thank-you note to each interviewer individually by email or mail, depending on the culture of the firm. Remember that you can say more in a thank-you 

note after the interview. If you had a statement prepared but no opportunity to interject, write it in the note and send it as soon as you can after the interview.

You have some control over the hiring decision post-interview. If a few days have passed since a promised response, contact the company and ask where they are in the process. If you don’t get a reply in a few days, you must try again, according to an interview guide from Monster, a job-search site.