An important step in every professional man`s life is the interview for the much anticipated position. Men prepare for this moment their whole life, yet many things still go wrong. The key to a successful interview is the right type of preparation, and keeping a cool mind.

Preparation:

This is probably the most important part of the whole process, because with good preparation, everything should go as planned. This should be the case, at least in theory. Before getting to the interview, conduct some research to know some basic information about the company , like its mission statement and its position in the industry. This will allow you to intelligently answer questions that might suddenly be thrown your way during the interview session.

This research should also include specific job related issues and requirements. Applicants don't want to be faced with a tricky question often asked by interviewers, catching the applicant off guard. A good technique is to look at oneself in the mirror and go through the procedure of an interview. Portraying confidence and assertiveness are surely the most important parts of an interview. The interviewer wants to see that the applicant is sure of himself, and that his high confidence is a reflection of his abilities.

Looks that matter:

Using the same concept as when preparing a resume, your appearance will play a key role in presenting a good image of yourself. We wouldn't expect an employer to be wearing running shoes and jeans, so why should we? Dress appropriately for the position. Office and administrative jobs require, without a doubt, a suit and tie appearance. Be wary of overdressing for the interview, but remember, it's better to be overdressed than underdressed.

Introduction & body language:

There are three main things to do when entering the interview room and first meeting a human resources person:

Present yourself by clearly stating your name.
Make direct eye contact with the interviewer.
Give a firm handshake. A trick to avoid having sweaty palms when giving a handshake is to carry a tissue in your pocket to dry your hand right before the handshake.
Before moving on, there are implicit signs interviewers are trained to look out for during an interview session. Interviewers are usually trained observers of the slightest details, which can say more than what is actually said by the applicant.

Constantly moving hands will usually represent nervousness. Keep them on the table, or on your knees.
Sit up straight and don`t slouch. Sitting up portrays confidence and savoir faire.
Unintentional nervous ticks are clearly noticeable by interviewers, but might not be to the applicant. Be careful not to tap the table, touch your face constantly, or stutter when answering questions.
Typical Questions:

Every interview contains a series of questions tailored for that specific interview, however, many of them actually include a set of generic questions that might be posed by the interviewer. Here is an exhaustive list to give you an idea of the types of questions that might be put forth in conversation, during an interview. The key is to answer the questions sincerely, while using a rich vocabulary.

What experience do you have for the position?
Why should we hire you?
Where do you see yourself in five years from now?
Name one of your weaknesses .
Why do you want to work for our company?
What can you bring to our company?
Take the appropriate time to answer each one of the questions. Stick to the basic answer and don`t elaborate, unless asked to. An important aspect is never to assume that you have gotten the position, because employers can pick up on this. This could very well play against your odds during the hiring stage. Follow through the entire interview until the very end.

There are different levels of interviews, from the preliminary one to the final selection. Each level will offer different levels of difficulty and preparation, but with this basic bag of knowledge, you are ready to face any interviewer. Remember to answer honestly and not to act arrogant. That`s it for now.