You've been invited to an interview. Nervous? It's only natural. You'll feel more at ease if you go to the interview prepared. Learn all you can about the company ahead of time. Read its annual report and call your networking contacts to see what they know. You might even want to call the company anonymously to ask some questions. Here are some practical pointers for your interview.

• Dress appropriately. It is best to wear professional attire that does not make a bold statement.  You want to look well-groomed, responsible and neat without letting your clothing or your appearance do the talking for you.
• Arrive on time. Map out your route ahead of time to be sure you know where you're going. Allow yourself plenty of time to get there, find parking and collect your thoughts before you go in. This is your chance to make a good first impression as a responsible, conscientious person.
• Greet the interviewer with a firm handshake. Make eye contact.
• Listen to questions carefully and answer them directly. Don't ramble, but don't answer with just a yes or no. A good interviewer will ask questions that require some thought. Be prepared to talk about your strengths and weaknesses.
• Ask questions. This is your chance to find out whether the job fits your expectations and to demonstrate your interest in the company. Be prepared with several questions.
• Don't bring up salary or benefits. This is a subject best left for the second interview or when you receive a job offer.
• Send a thank-you letter. This simple idea is often overlooked by job seekers, so it can give you an edge over the competition. It reaffirms your interest in the position and also gives you a chance to say something you may have forgotten during the interview. 

Interview Topics

• "Tell me about yourself."  Keep your answer brief.  The interviewer doesn’t want to know about your grandmother’s birthplace or how many pets you own.  He or she is interested in your goals, experience, interests, and communication skills. 
• "What are your strengths/weaknesses?" Emphasize your good traits and those that relate to the job for which you are interviewing.  You can mention an area that you’re working to improve or one in which you have recently made great strides.
• "Why do you want to work here?" This is a good chance to mention how you can apply your skills, interests, and goals to the job.
• "Why should we hire you?" Take this opportunity to highlight the unique qualities you can bring to the job.
• "What would you do in (a particular situation)?"  Don’t be afraid to say that you would ask questions of your supervisor and approach each challenge as a learning opportunity.