Ditch the Distress and Turn An Interview Into A Job

Job interviews can bring out the jitters in even the most seasoned professionals. Being nervous is also totally normal, and can be prevented with the right amount of interview preparation. Take a deep breath, relax, and impress your future boss with these five no-fail tips:

1. Practice and Prepare
The best defense to nervousness is being prepared. Research the company and prepare a well thought out answer to the inevitable question, What do you know about our company? Practice interviewing with a friend to prep your mind for the actual interview, and use the opportunity to think of concrete examples to describe your skills.

2. Dress Appropriately and Be On Time
Interview attire should be clean, pressed and appropriate for the company you're interviewing for. A job interview definitely isn't the time to rock this season's statement lip or smoky eye. Your make-up should look clean and natural. Keep your hairstyle conservative and pulled back from your face.

Being on time means five to 10 minutes early. Showing up late to a job interview is the ultimate professional faux pas, so plan your route to the interview ahead of time. If you're unfamiliar with the location, visit it in advance so you know exactly where you're going and how long it will take to get there.

3. Listen
It's easy to get distracted, but maintain eye contact with the interviewer and listen to the entire question before answering. Don't be afraid to ask for clarification on a question. It's better to ask and answer it correctly that to half-wittingly fumble through your response.

4. Show What You Know
When giving examples of your skills, tailor your accomplishments to what the company is looking for. Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions to show the interviewer you've done your research effectively.

5. Ask Questions
No is never the right answer when an interviewer asks you if you have any questions for them. Use the knowledge from your pre-interview research to ask about the details of the job, office culture or any other questions that arise from the interview.