1. Know your strengths and weaknesses. Be prepared with a solid presentation of your strong points so that your weaknesses seem slight in comparison. The interviewer will be constantly probing for weaknesses and testing for strengths.

2. Know the requirements of the job so that you can relate how your qualifications compare with these requirements. You must be able to show the fit between " what you can do" and "what must be done." You must be prepared to show why you should be hired.

3. Know the company: its products and/or services, its competitors, its history, size, location of plants and the like. A brief description of the company usually accompanies an advertisement for vacant positions.

It is also useful to find out who will interview you. Research of this nature can pay dividends in helping you prepare yourself and determine the direction the interview will take.

4. Know the difficult questions that are typically asked and prepare your answers to these questions.

5. Write down your own questions. Near the end of the interview, you will be usually asked if you have your own questions. This is the time to inquire about the nature of the work, the working conditions, working hours, training programs given to employees, chances for career growth and advancement, and any other points that may have not been covered yet. Questions pertaining to salary or benefits are never discussed at an interview unless the interviewer introduces them. You may ask these questions after the job is offered to you, and before you accept.

6. Attend to your personal appearance. Your preparation will produce negative results if you neglect your appearance. The people who will be deciding whether to hire you or not will be looking at you very closely.

7. Check details of the interview. Find out the exact time and place for your appointment and program yourself to allow for emergencies, such as a traffic jam or flat tire. If you are unfamiliar with the location where the interview will take place, you should check it out beforehand.

You should plan to arrive at the designated place15 minutes ahead of schedule. While waiting, you can use the time to review the points to be covered in the interview or to observe the office environment and the employees going about their work.

Bring also with you a pad and pen for jotting down things you need to remember such as the date and time of a second interview, names, correct titles, and addresses of those who interview you. You will need this information for your post interview thank you notes.