Interviewing for a job can be a stressful event.  However, being well prepared will help you ace the interview.  Here are five tips that will help you make a great impression and land the job!

1. Dress for success.

You should always dress appropriately for an interview. What you wear and how you look will determine an interviewer's first impression. Be sure to consider the organization's culture and dress accordingly; either match or appear slightly dressier than the company's normal work attire.  Dress in clothes that you feel great in; it will help you feel more confident!

2. Practice your interview.

Get a friend or family member to ask you some basic interview questions so that you can become comfortable with how to answer them. This will keep you from getting frazzled or tongue tied when you begin your interview and increase your confidence when answering questions for which you might not have prepared.  Practice making eye contact and be sure to maintain it during your actual interview.  Direct eye contact and a firm handshake is a great way to communicate confidence and connect with your interviewer.

3. Know your interviewer(s).

Find out who will be present at your interview and their relationship to the organization. Know the organization's values and be ready to illustrate how you will "fit" with the group. Make your interviewer's job easier by connecting the dots between your skill set and the organization's needs.  Set yourself apart from other candidates by demonstrating your knowledge of the organization; it will show initiative and that you have done your homework.

4. Be positive.

Confidence in yourself and your potential can go a long way to helping you have a successful interview. Know why you are a great candidate and believe it. Don't forget to smile; interviewers like to see someone who enjoys challenge and is enthusiastic.

5. Be the interviewer as well as the interviewee.

Come prepared to ask a few questions about the position and/or organization. Not only will it show that you are well prepared, but also help you determine if the organization is a right fit for you. If your interview is successful, you could be spending a lot of time there!

Good luck with your interviews!  Even if you do not get offered every job you interview for, the interview process itself is a great learning experience!