Your job interview is an opportunity for you to demonstrate to the employer that you are somebody they would like to work with professionally.  The overall impression you create is therefore at least as important as what is actually said during the interview.  The following ten tips will help you present your "best self" to the interviewer.

Ten Interviewing Tips

1. Be Prepared
Preparation is the key to a successful job interview.  Follow the suggestions for interview preparation on this website.   Come to the interview prepared with extra copies of your resume, work samples, a list of references, notepaper, and a pencil. 

2. Relax
Remember, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain.  Try to appear relaxed and comfortable.  Avoid unnecessary verbal and nonverbal distractions (e.g. bouncing knee, fidgety hands, etc).

3. Be Yourself
Always be honest.  Project the real you.  Be your "best self," but be yourself.  If you must greatly alter your personality to get a job, you probably wouldn't be happy in that job anyway.  Be confident with who you are and what you have to offer. 

4. Know the Name and Title of the Interviewer
Greet the interviewer by his/her last name in a friendly but businesslike manner.   Don't use the interviewer's first name unless specifically advised to do so.

5. Establish a Friendly Rapport
Try to enjoy the interview.  Create a friendly, conversational atmosphere.  Be Fun!  Display some humor.

6. Listen Attentively and Maintain Good Eye Contact
Don't be so preoccupied with your own presentation that you forget to listen carefully to the employer.  Keep note taking during the interview to a minimum.  Maintain good eye contact but avoid "staring down" the interviewer.

7. Keep Your Answers Brief, Relevant and Concise
An interview should be a dialogue, not a monologue.  Limit your answers to 1 1/2 - 2 minutes per question.  Speak clearly and effectively (avoid terms such as "okay," "you know," and "uh."  Pause before answering important questions.  Avoid sounding rehearsed.

8. Personalize Your Interview and Give Proof
Come prepared with specific examples to illustrate your strengths and abilities. Avoid speaking in generalities.  Set yourself apart from other job-seekers by being a proof-giver, not just a claimer (Richard Bolles, 1997, What Color Is Your Parachute).   Try to include concrete, quantifiable data.

9. Be Positive and Enthusiastic
Present an attitude and appearance that will allow the employer to be proud to present you to fellow employees.  Introduce yourself with a firm confident manner. Never speak negatively of past associates.  Avoid controversial subjects.  Never contradict or argue with your interviewer (this is interview suicide).

10. Avoid Discussing Salary/Benefits Until You Have Been Offered The Job
Let the employer initiate the salary negotiation.  Come to the interview knowing the typical salary range for someone with your background and qualifications in the type of position your are applying for.  State you desired salary in terms of a range.