Prepare for the interview by researching the organization and arrive for the interview a few minutes early.

Reading current articles written about your chosen field and/or company will help.

Dress appropriately and professionally because the first impression is important.

Offer a firm, dry handshake to the interviewer. Maintain good eye contact with the interviewer and speak clearly and distinctly.

Be able to verbalize resumes and communicate qualifications to the interviewer.

Remember to ask the interviewer questions and answer questions honestly and completely. Don’t forget to ask what the next step in the interviewing process will be.

Also when answering questions, don’t use verbal “fillers” such as “uh,” “you know” and “like.”

Make sure you know why you are in the interview—have clear career goals. Tell the interviewer why you really want the job, and show enthusiasm for the position and organization.

Don’t make negative remarks about previous or present employers or teachers.

During the interview don’t be distracted by “outside” factors—conversations in an adjacent room, things going on outside the window, etc.

Never use a job interview as a chance to “shop around.” You’re wasting the interviewer’s time as well as your own.

If the interviewer offers you a job, don’t play hard to get or be unwilling to start at the bottom if you are an entry-level candidate.

On a final note, remember to let the employer bring up the subject of salary and always follow up with a thank-you letter.