Steps to Prepare for Good Job Interview

But speaking with prospective employers, whether you're going for your first job or you're a seasoned worker, needn't be such a nail-biting affair if you do some preparation.

"A lot of mistakes have to do with poor communications," said Norma Gaffin, director of content for the career advice section of the Monster.com job site. "People take so many things for granted, but you need to remember the basics - to dress well, speak well and always follow up with a thank you note."

Joe Hodowanes, a career strategy adviser, said the first thing a job candidate must do is research the industry, the company and the job. That means looking at the company's Web site, doing searches about the company on the Internet and even dropping in at the library to check the company out in professional references.

"You need to know what your prospective employer's strength and problems are or you can't project yourself as a candidate to deal with them," said Hodowanes, who is with the executive search firm J.M. Wanes & Associates of Tampa, Fla.

He suggests first-time job seekers, as well as work force veterans, might try this pre-interview exercise: Write down the sentence, "What value do I bring to a company and why should they hire me?"

Then, he said, over the next several days as you think of key selling points, write them down.

"If you can accumulate 15 or 20 items, then as things come up in the interview, they can be interjected at the appropriate places," Hodowanes said.

He contrasts an applicant eager to discuss his or her potential contribution to a company with an applicant who is quick to ask such self-serving questions as "What are the benefits?" and "How much vacation do I get?" And he asks, "Which one would you consider for the job?"

Hodowanes also stresses that interviewees shouldn't be afraid to ask probing questions. Some possibilities: