You only get one chance to make a first impression and your interview is your one chance to impress your prospective employer as well as any other personnel you might speak with. Therefore, you want to present yourself in the best light possible and you’d think this would be common sense, but the fact is that many people fall short when it comes to interviewee skills. Here are some job interview tips that will help you stand out from the crowd.

1. Before you even go on the interview, research the company - actually you may want to do this before you even apply for the job! Find out about their products or services and make some notes so you can ask intelligent questions in the interview. This will show that you have an interest in the company and surprisingly few people take this step so it could be the thing that sets you apart.

2. You don’t want to be late for your interview, but you don’t want to be too early either. If you are unsure of the traffic or how long it will take, give yourself plenty of time and just drive around or sit in the parking lot if you get there too early. Be sure to walk into the building about 10 minutes ahead of time so that you can fill out any paperwork and get a badge and still be on time for the interviewers. This shows that you have a respect for other peoples time and that you are punctual.

3. Don’t freeze! Plenty of people freeze during an interview and you have to drag every answer out of them. One of my most important job interview tips is that it is OK to talk about your knowledge and how it relates to the job and speak of yourself in a positive light. On the other hand, you don’t want to drone on and on about how great you are - this is a sure turn off! If you are nervous in interviews try to practice with a friend, have them ask you all the questions you think the interviewer might ask so you will be prepared.

4. Dress for success. What you wear will make an impression so dress appropriately for the position. Even if you are going for a job where you will probably wear jeans, you should still dress in a suit or nice outfit to show your sincerity and respect. Be sure your hair and nails are well groomed and your shoes are shined!

5. Act like you are enjoying yourself. Most people consider interviews to be a horrid experience, but they are simply a means to exchange information and get a feel for the place. They are as much for you as they are for the prospective employer so don’t feel like you are being judged since you are also judging them. Greet each person that interviews you with a smile and a handshake and listen to what they have to say. Ask intelligent questions and treat the interview as if you were meeting a new friend.

If you follow these job interview tips, you’ll be that much further ahead of the next guy, but don’t stop there. Be sure to thank everyone for the chance of interviewing and write a follow up letter thanking them for their time and stating briefly why you feel that the job is a perfect fit for you. That way you are sure to make a great first impression!