Successful Interviewing

The most important aspect of your interview is your thorough preparation. Think of it this way, most interviews are successful or unsuccessful based on the amount and quality of preparation. You might want to think about your preparation in two parts:
Research of the company and industry
Rehearsal of your selling points

Know the Company and Industry

Make sure you fully understand the company, its history, products, prospects for the future and challenges in the marketplace. You should also research the industry to find out major competitors, market saturation and technological advances. Read the job posting or description carefully and formulate three strong questions to ask about the job or company.

Know Yourself

Develop three or four strong selling points that demonstrate why you are the only one for that job. Give examples that support your points. Frame your examples in a positive light. "I overcame this customer service obstacle by spending more time with key customers."

It is easy to prepare for the easy questions like, "Tell me your greatest accomplishment." Spend equal time preparing for the tough questions.
Get ready to answer questions you don't want them to ask - because the interviewer will undoubtedly ask the tough ones. If the answer demonstrates a weakness, be honest, not defensive. Think about how you can overcome that weakness and convey what you learned from the situation. See the article "Know the answer to these interview questions!" for likely questions you might face in an interview.

Convey your interest in and suitability for the job. Some jobs are lost on candidates who do not show enough enthusiasm for the job or company. If you really want the job, let the interviewer know that there is a good chance that you would accept an offer.

Prepare, practice and polish your interviewing style.

Clinch the Interview

By now you have fully researched the job, company, industry and competitors. You have practiced and polished your answers to the easy and tough interview questions. It is time for the actual interview. Keep a few things in mind during the interview process:

Make a good first impression - be on time, appropriately dressed and relaxed. Avoid strong perfume or cologne.

Be clear and concise in your answers, give strong examples

Frame your answers in a positive way, even if the questions are negatively worded

Pay attention to your body language - look alert, shake their hand firmly, sit up straight and make eye contact.

Bring it all home - at the close of the interview, reiterate your interest in the job, thank the interviewer and ask if there are any more questions you can answer about yourself.

After the interview - follow-up with a nicely worded thank you email or note (even if you don't want the job)