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Jot down questions about the company, its products, markets, and plans based on the research you've just done and bring that list of questions with you to the interview.

If you have or can get the job description, review it carefully.  One technique that may be helpful is to go through the description item-by-item and write down examples of the experience you have for each. 

Before the interview:
Make sure you know where you are going.  If the company is in your local area, discreetly visit the company ahead of time.  You'll know how to get there, how long it will take, and you can get an idea of the dress code and culture.  If not, allow plenty of extra time.  Being late for an interview except under extreme conditions is simply unacceptable and may cost your any further consideration for the job.

Appearance and attire:
Select clothing that is suitable for the position.  Unless specified otherwise, a business suit is a good choice.  Make sure that your clothing fits well, that it is spotless, and in top condition.  If you have not worn your suit for awhile, check to make sure the style is not outdated (lapel width, tie color, slacks cuffs, etc.). 

Women should be conscious of hemlines and necklines.  A business interview is not the occasion for micro-minis or cleavage.  Women have the added challenge of selecting attire that is age-appropriate.  You don't want to look like the interviewer's granny, but it is equally important not to appear a perpetual teenager.  The objective here it to make the interviewer notice you, not your clothes.

Some companies will tell you to come in "business casual".  This term varies from company to company – to some, this means blue jeans, while to others, it means that a sports jacket and slacks (or for women, slacks and skirts) are appropriate.  Err on the conservative side. 

If the position for which you've applied will be in a production or warehouse environment, wear clothing and shoes that will allow you to tour the facility comfortably and safely. 

You should appear well groomed – clean fingernails, tidy and clean hair, shoes shined. 

Tattoos should be covered if the position is in a business environment.  Likewise, this is not the right venue to display your latest piercings.

Reasons for leaving each of your positions:  Business closures, moves, mergers, and downsizing are common and straightforward.  But if you have left positions of your own accord, interviewers will hone in on your motivation for doing so.  In reality, most people arrive at a decision to leave a company for more than one reason.  For interviewing purposes, choose the most compelling of your reasons and stick to that.  If your employment was terminated for cause, be honest, and follow up with a positive statement if at all possible.  For example, if you were released due to poor attendance because of a temporary problem, you could state that problem and that it has since been corrected, then point to previous positions where your attendance was fine. 

Never badmouth a previous employer.  It will only reflect badly on you. 

Often during interviews, you'll be asked for your strengths and weaknesses.  Make sure the strengths you state are both true and important to the open position.  Choose weaknesses that are less important, and that you have taken steps to correct.  For instance, perhaps you had difficulty keeping your desk tidy, and have since developed the habit of clearing your desk before the end of every day.  Or perhaps you initially found delegating difficult, but have learned how to assess your staff and make appropriate assignments. 

One of the most dangerous of all interview queries is, "So, tell me about yourself".  This interviewer could be lazy, or it could be that he/she wants to see how you organize your thoughts, how you present yourself, and how well you think on your feet.  It can't hurt to be prepared for this question with a one or two minute "infomercial".  Pretend that this will be the only chance you have to express your experience and skills.  It is an opportunity to tell your story as it pertains to the open position.  As an example, an applicant for a Customer Service Manager calling for experience with a TurboCS database, supervisory, and project management experience could offer this response:   "I started with Company X five years ago as a customer service representative.  I supported an outside sales force of 12 people with customer telephone support, inventory queries, and order processing using a TurboCS database.  Once I became knowledgeable of the widget product line and pricing structure, I was selected to be part of a conversion team.  With team members from other departments, we completed the conversion ahead of schedule and within budget.  My success in that project lead to a promotion to supervisor with a staff of 5 customer service representatives." 

Be prepared to answer questions about salary, but do not bring the subject up.  If you were sent to the company through an agency, salary is usually negotiated through the agency.  It's best to be prepared, anyway.  Salary surveys are widely available on the internet and at most public libraries.  Be truthful about your salary history.  Some companies require that you show previous W-2 statements.  

Review your resume so that the information is fresh in your mind.  The interviewer will probably be using your resume as a foundation for the interview. 

You should have with you a couple of copies of your resume, the notes you prepared, and the names and contact information for at least three business references.  Most companies will have you complete their employment application, and this will normally include a section for references.  If at all possible, former supervisors are preferred.  Out of courtesy, ask for permission from your references.  This will also give you an opportunity to tell them about the company and position you've applied for, why you believe you are qualified, and why it could be a good opportunity for you.  

When the interviewer introduces him/herself, offer to shake hands – with a firm grip.  You are not trying to break knuckles, but shouldn't offer a limp hand, either.  If you're in doubt, practice ahead of time.

Pay attention to the interviewer's demeanor.  There is a technique called "mirroring" that may be helpful.  If the interviewer sits on the edge of the chair leaning forward, assume a similar posture.  Conversely, if the interviewer slumps back in his or her chair, assume a more relaxed posture.  If the interviewer talks slowly, moderate your speech to a similar speed.  Be conscious of your volume control.  A soft-spoken interviewer may not react well to loud responses and vice versa.  The intention is not to mimic the interviewer, but to increase the interviewer's comfort level with you. 

Enthusiasm is contagious.

Make eye contact, but avoid staring.  Eye contact helps establish rapport.  

If your interview was arranged by an agency, your recruiter will often provide you with the names and titles of individuals who will be interviewing you.  If not, ask for a business card from each person who interviews you.  You will want these later to write follow up thank you letters.

Listen.  Listen.  Listen.  The interviewer asks you a question.  Stay on point and answer the question.  There is nothing that can frustrate an interviewer faster than a candidate who digresses, and few interviewers will persist to pull the answer out of you.  So listen, answer, and, if it was a complex answer, ask the interviewer if your response answered the question.

Use examples from your work history to answer questions and support these statements with quantifiable results, if possible.  This will come naturally if the interviewer is conducting a behavioral interview (e.g.  "Tell me about your experience managing a project).  

Be conscious of "I" and "We" statements.  If you have worked in a highly team-oriented company, "we" may be deeply ingrained.  Your team is not interviewing – you are.  When discussing your team's activities and accomplishments, use "we".  But when talking about your own role within the team, use "I". 

This is not a show and tell session.  Leave your documents in your briefcase.  During the course of the interview, you may let the interviewer know that you brought samples of your work.  Bring them out only if the interviewer asks to see them.     

It is too easy to let documents take over the interview, so use them with extreme discretion.  Usually, the interviewer has a finite period of time to talk to you and needs to collect specific information about your experience and skills during that period.  Documents can distract the interviewer from this objective.  If time is up before the interviewer has the information needed, you may be out of consideration for the job.

This is NOT the time to ask "What's in it for me?".  Do not ask about salary or benefits at this point.  This is especially true if you've been referred through an agency – your agent will gather this information on your behalf.

Some of the information you may want to gather includes:
           
What challenges is the company facing in the upcoming year?
What is the company's financial outlook?
Are there any organizational changes on the horizon (such as mergers, acquisitions, downsizing)?
What is the employee turnover rate?
What sort of career path would be possible from this position?
How would you describe the company culture?  Do you think I would fit in?
What do you like best about working here?  What would you change if you could?

These last two questions lead to asking for the job, or at least expressing enthusiastic interest in continuing the interview process:  "From our discussion today, it sounds like my skills could be an asset to the team," or, "I've been very impressed with the staff I've met today," or a statement demonstrating that you know about the company and the position and can do the job.

A scary but very helpful question is "Do you have any reservations about my qualifications or my suitability to this job?"  This opens the door to any objections the interviewer may have to you as a candidate, and provides you with an opportunity to address those objections.  For instance, suppose the interviewer says you may be "overqualified".  You have the chance to explain why this position would be challenging, and point out that your experience could only help the company.  The actual concern with an "overqualified" candidate may be salary or may be concern that you'll leave the instant a "better" job comes along.   If there are any objections to your background, removing those issues before they have a chance to fester in the interviewer's mind is best.

In the happy situation when the interviewer indicates that you are, indeed, a great fit for the position, ask for the job! 

What if you have reservations about the company or the position?  If you were referred by an agency, save those reservations for your post-interview follow up.  Your recruiter is in a position to ask negative questions that will not have any reflection on you.  If you are on your own, try to frame your concerns into neutral questions.  For example, if the position doesn't sound like it will be challenging enough, ask if there is the possibility to enrich the position based on your experience.

Write thank you letters immediately.  This is yet another chance to reiterate your qualifications and your interest in the job.  There are books and internet resources available on how to write an effective thank you letter.

Miss Manners has not determined yet if e-mailed thank you letters are acceptable.  Use your best judgment.  If the company is in a technology field, it may be suitable.  If it's an old-fashioned company, definitely mail a hard copy.