Learn all you can about the organization in advance. Researching the company before the interview and learn as much as possible. Search their website, internet, and press releases about its services, products, customers and competition. Use that information to create discussion points during the interview to demonstrate your interest and initiative.

Prep for the conversation by thinking about the job and the qualities a candidate must have. How do your strengths match up? What are your weaknesses? Anticipate questions you might be asked and consider how you'll answer them. Bounce ideas off people if you're concerned about a particular aspect of the job description to gain information from others in that industry.

Dress for confidence. Get out your best interview clothes and check them over for spots and wrinkles. Even if the company has a casual environment, you want to dress to impress and not look like you slept in your outfit. How do you smell? Don't shower in cologne or perfume. Have fresh breath and take out the gum.

Make sure you have a copy of your resume, position description and preplanned interview questions in front of you. Be sure to have pen and paper ready for taking notes.

Do you know where you are going? Allow extra time to arrive early in the vicinity, allowing for factors like getting lost or traffic. Enter the building 10 to 15 minutes before the interview. Arriving late to an interview is not a good way to make a great first impression.

Smile and give a firm handshake with plenty of eye contact. Demonstrate confidence. Speak distinctly in a confident voice, even though you may feel shaky. Remember to relax and stay calm.

What is the interviewer asking? Show respect. Don't interrupt or begin answering the question before the interviewer has finished speaking; there may be more to the question than you realize. One of the most neglected interview skills is listening. Make sure you understand what is being asked, and get further clarification if you are unsure. Make sure you are not only listening, but also reading between the lines.

Give clear specific examples of your successes and performance. General and vague answers can leave the interviewer wondering. Prepare your stories before the interview.

Think about the position and your roles and responsibilities. Demonstrate to the interviewer that you have taken time to think about yourself in the position. Asking thought provoking questions impress interviewers while indicating your interest. Many interviewees don't ask the right questions and miss the opportunity to find out valuable information.

Whether it's through email or regular mail, the interview follow-up is one more chance to remind the interviewer of all the valuable traits you bring to the job and company. Don't miss this last chance to market yourself.

Make sure you are prepared to take the call. Give yourself a few minutes ahead of time in case the call comes early. Eliminate distractions. Find a quiet place where you can concentrate on the interviewer. Make sure your call quality is good. Nothing is more disrupting to a phone interview than bad reception or background noise. If you're using a cell phone, make sure your battery is charged.

In a phone interview it is important to speak slowly and clearly. The quality of your conversation and your ability to answer questions is all the interviewer has to go on over the phone. A good smile comes across over the phone. Don't use slang or other informal language no matter what the interviewer says.

Take the time you need to answer the interview questions completely and thoughtfully. Don't interrupt or begin answering the question before the interviewer has finished speaking; there may be more to the question than you realize.

If you feel the interview has gone well, be confident and direct enough to request a face-to-face interview by asking “Would it be possible for us to meet in person and continue our conversation? I'd really like to have the opportunity to meet you.”