Preparing for a job interview can be more important than the interview itself. An interviewer uses a wide variety of strategies and techniques to assess possible applicants; you also can use techniques to improve your chances of becoming the successful candidate. This checklist will help you ensure that your interview goes as smoothly—and as favorably—as possible.

Do Your Background Research
Find out as much as you can about the company. You don't need to memorize every detail, but you should have a good idea about what the company does and how you can complement its overall vision. Review any company documentation you can find; check newspapers, magazines, and Web sites for information about the company.

Learning about the company beforehand shows interviewers that you're committed to your future. It shows respect and can give you added points if the decision comes down to a few people. Asking simple questions during the interview—the answers to which you should have been able to determine through your research—tends to indicate laziness and doesn't leave the interviewer with a favorable impression.

Review your Resumé
Before you go to the interview, study your resumé. You should be intimately familiar with its contents. Too often, applicants rely on resumés produced by friends or family members with only a vague idea of what's actually contained in the page.

Be prepared for questions about your prior employment. Interviewers often want to gain a better idea of your past work history; you leave the best impression when you're ready to respond by citing any pertinent information. Do your thinking beforehand; don't waste valuable time during the interview.

Manager's Advice Use your resumé in the interview. When asked questions about how you would handle a particular situation, tie it in with your prior experience. One of the best ways to show how you'd handle a problem is to show how you've handled it in the past.

Verify the Details
You want to avoid nasty surprises on the day of the interview. Find out where the interview is and plot your course. Do a trial run a few days early. If you are taking a bus, verify the route. If you are driving, find out about parking in advance. Try to identify any potential problems you'll have in getting there on time. Excuses make you look uncommitted, so avoid being late at all costs.

Practice
Review books and Web sites on interviewing successfully. Find sample questions and practice your responses with a friend or family member. Giving yourself a practice session helps relieve anxiety and will make you appear more natural and confident in the interview room.

Follow Up
Send a thank-you note to the interviewer after your interview. This shows consideration and also serves to remind the interviewer about you.

Later, if your interview proves unsuccessful, contact the interviewer to ask for pointers on how you might have done better. Coming across well in an interview is a skill; learn from any mistakes and use the interviewer's comments to help you. Once you master the skill, you'll reach your objective—landing your dream job!