It's an interview, not a keg party

Some candidates talk too much, cutting off the interviewer or talking over questions. But don't make the mistake of sitting there like a complete dork. If you simply nod like a bobble-head doll, the interviewer is likely to conclude that you have nothing to say or you're not interested in the job.

Read as much as you can about the company prior to the interview. Start with the company's Web site. Read your prospective employer's mission statement and about the company's products and services. If it's a public company such as Intel, Microsoft, Dell, Exxon Mobil or JPMorgan Chase, take the time to read deep into the annual and quarterly reports.

Such research will show the interviewers that you're serious about the job. It will also help you answer a basic question: Do you want to build a career with these guys?

Prepare to meet with interviewers for about an hour. But that's often just the first round, and you may go through several rounds of interviews, especially for a choice job. When someone says, "I'd like you to meet my boss," remember that it's still an interview, and be prepared to make your best points.

Interviewers want to gain insight into how you think and react to unexpected and perhaps uncomfortable situations. A good job interviewer will deliberately try to break your stride by tossing out an odd question to see how you handle the unexpected. Remember: Style and demeanor count.

Prepare for questions such as "Describe your most challenging work environment and how you dealt with it," "Describe a project that failed," or "What's your biggest regret?" (See: "Job Hunting Tips From Job Recruiters.")

Remember that you're being prodded, tested and evaluated by everyone you speak to in a series of corporate interviews. Everything you say counts, so never let your guard down (see: "Hitting The Job Interview Home Run").

7 HELPFUL INTERVIEW TIPS Click the links below for more information. Always be prompt Dress appropriately Make eye contact Pay attention to small details Turn off your cell phone Breaking news Work samples Source: Forbes.com

Body language is a key element in a successful interview. In general, an interviewer's first impression is made in three to seven seconds and body language often tells more than what you say and how you say it (see: "Is Body Language Betraying You In Job Interviews?").

A bad first impression is difficult to overcome no matter how solid your credentials. To see and hear yourself as others see you, some headhunters recommend practicing your presentation in front of a mirror while speaking into a tape recorder.

At the interview, pay attention to little things such as posture, sitting up straight, planting your feet squarely on the floor, hand position and making eye contact with the interviewer. No one expects you to sit ramrod straight, but you need to project an image of alertness, confidence and interest (see: "You Got A Job Offer. Now What?" and "Interviewing The Prospective Boss").

If you don't get this job, there will be others, and your interview technique will improve with experience (see: "Catastrophic Job Hunting Flubs").

"When I walked in for my first interview, the interviewer saw the look on my face and said, 'Relax. I'm nervous too,' " says Simmons.

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