There are several things that you should do to prepare yourself for the interview that can make the difference between receiving and not receiving the job offer.

A. Find out as much as you can about the company where you will be interviewing. This will not only make you feel more comfortable during the interview it will also prepare you to show genuine interest in the company. The Internet is a good source of information. Financial publications like the Dunn and Bradstreet are excellent reference materials that can acquaint you with the company's products, services, markets, sales volumes, locations and subsidiaries. Ask that company representative if they have an exclusive website to explore. The company's Annual Report is also a good source of information. The idea is to be able to intelligently converse about the company and what it does. Your employer will be favourably impressed to find that you have researched the company.

B. Be prepared to play by the company's rules. Many companies have set procedures for interviewing. Follow whatever procedures are suggested or required without question or comment -- no matter how ridiculous the rules may appear to you. You can make friends by complying fully.

C. Plan how you will dress for the interview. This may seem trivial to you, but you wouldn't want to miss a job offer simply because someone didn't like the way you were dressed.

• Men should wear a neat suit, tie and shined shoes.
• Ladies should look business like, and keep make-up minimal.

D. Allow sufficient time for the interview. More than likely, you will be interviewing with more than one person during the interview cycle. You will not be at your best if you are worried about another appointment. It is a mistake to rush your interviewers because you have made a previous and conflicting appointment.

E. Arrive at the interview early. It is a good idea to arrive for the interview fifteen minutes before your actual appointment. A last minute or late arrival may say something negative to your potential employer. There is no excuse for tardiness at an interview.

F. Keep yourself in a positive frame of mind. Keep in mind that you must be prepared to discuss job-related topics, not inconveniences or personal problems. If your interview begins on a negative note, it may be difficult to turn the atmosphere into a positive situation later.

G. Plan to go to the interview alone. If your spouse or a friend takes you to the interview, have them wait for you elsewhere. The presence of a third party can be a negative distraction for both you and the employer.

H. Prepare a list of questions. Prepare a list of job-related questions that require an explanation such as: Interest questions that pertain to job opportunity, the company, its people, its products/services. Job satisfaction questions that pertain to the importance, responsibility, authority, recognition and career potential of the job. Past performance questions that concentrate on people who previously held the position, their performance and where they are today. Sales questions that help you determine the kind of person the employer wants to hire in terms of education, experience, future performance and personality.

Avoid questions that relate to salary, benefits, vacations and retirement.

Preparing for the Interview
What are Employers Really Looking For in the Job Interview?
Common Interviewing Mistakes
Typical Tough Questions
The Anatomy Of The Interview
Post Interview Tips