What can you do to make sure you get the job no matter who’s asking the questions?

People seem to have forgotten the central tenet underlying the American Dream: you have the ability to decide your future success. It’s time to put that lesson into practice where it can help the most. When interviewing, follow these five steps to ensure you give the right impression and really communicate that you are the person for the job.

  1. Poise is Key -  Many people mistake poise for stiffness when in fact the exact opposite is required. Accept your own gait and natural sitting posture, but don’t slouch. Relax into your own physical comfort zone and remember that the best interviews are conversations, not tryouts.
  2. Show Some Teeth -  Equally as important as the handshake is the smile, but like poise, it must be your smile and not a forced display. Try to shrug away your fear as you naturally smile when meeting your interviewer. It helps to remember that you could be in their seat one day.
  3. Know Your Talents – When preparing, think about your abilities that will allow you to do the job successfully. Equally as important, decide how to describe those abilities so that they seem real, applicable, and not inflated. Use examples from your past.
  4. Your Eyes, Their Eyes – Many experts argue that you should always maintain eye contact, but for some, that can be intimidating. When you are listening, you should always be focused on the speaker; however, it sometimes help to look at the softer spots of the face like the nose or mouth.
  5. Follow-up - Always, always write a follow-up email anywhere from 24 to 48 hours after the interview thanking your contact for their time. Mention a few specifics, but don’t overdo it!