4. Ask contacts for the inside scoop on the company and, if possible, about the personality of your interviewer.

5. Smile at your prospect and shake his or her hand. The gracious interviewee lands the job.

6. Avoid canned answers to questions. Take answers you’ve already prepared, change them around, play with them and really make them your own.

7. Nix slang words such as “like,” “gee,” “um” and “wow” from your interview spiel. Valley Girl-speak automatically subtracts, like, major IQ points.

8. Follow the news. There could be a story about the very company where you’re interviewing. Bringing it up will give you extra points for sure.

9. Don’t leave the interview without asking your prospect at least three questions.

10. Follow up with a thank-you email or letter within three business days after you interview.

Written by Vicky Oliver, author of 301 Smart Answers to Tough Interview Questions. Reprinted with permission of Sourcebooks. Copyright 2005.

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