If you channeled your pre-interview anxiety into preparing well, you will perform well. Here is a final checklist.

1. Gather needed information
• The day, date, and time of the appointment
• The exact address and directions
• Ask how long should you plan to be there
• A phone number to contact the interviewer (Call one day in advance and confirm that the appointment is still on.)
2. Organize material to take with you
• Several originals of your resume
• Reference list
• Portfolio material that will benefit you
3. Dress for an Interview

There are advantages to professional dress. See the Women in Business series Dress Code, and remember my advice to "Dress as you want to be paid."

4. Be on time

Go beforehand to ensure you know the route. Arrive at least 15 minutes before the appointment.

5. Courteously complete an application

Do not grumble about this process, or complete it slovenly. You may refer your job history details to an attached resume (which you brought with you!) but be thorough.

6. Greet the interviewer

   A firm handshake, good eye contact, and a pleasant greeting start the process well.

7. Listen attentively

Take your cue from the interviewer about how to proceed. She knows what she wants to accomplish, and in what order, so be accommodating and flexible.

8. Answer questions truthfully

Take your integrity with you on an interview.

Be honest in all of your responses. Never pretend you know an answer if you do not. Most people value integrity over all else, including specific knowledge or experience.

9. Ask questions

Ask about the work, or the future of the company. Ask when the company will be making a decision about the position. The time for detailed questions about benefits, salary, etc. is after you have been offered the job, and before you accept it. That is your strength position.

10. Bad Answers

What if you give a poor response to a question? There are few ways to make it better, but many ways to make it worse. Forget it. Learn something from the experience, and let it go.

11. Awkward Moments

Perhaps the interviewer asks an inappropriate, or even an illegal question. You must make a judgment based on the circumstances, and the question, about how to handle it.

Trust your common sense. If you feel that the question does not invade your privacy and you are willing to answer it, do so. Or, politely and courteously say, "I am not comfortable answering that question."

Interviewers may be poorly trained in technique, protocol, and even the law. Most people who have interview responsibility are good people. Give the benefit of the doubt, and act accordingly.

However, if your common sense tells you that this "awkward" moment is not right, and it is not innocent, just leave. Say, "I would like to thank you for taking the time to speak with me, but I don't think we have a good match." You owe no other explanation. For egregious offenses, (sexual harassment, gender or age discrimination) there are legal remedies.

12. When and how to leave

    Stay as long as you are invited to stay, and leave quickly when the interview is completed. Shake the interviewer's hand firmly, and make eye contact. Thank her for taking the time to speak with you, and tell her that you are interested in the position and hope to hear from her soon. Interest in the job is important to convey.

13. Follow up

Write a hand-written thank you note, on plain stationery, and mail it immediately. E-mail is fast and efficient, but a note is better. I urge you to write one. Here is an example:

"Dear Ms. Smith,

Thank you for taking the time to interview me today. I enjoyed meeting you, and appreciate the opportunity to discuss the position of XXX with COMPANY. I am very interested, and look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,

D.E. Summerville"

I would advise against a follow up call. Typically, you cannot enhance your chances with such a call, but you can diminish them if you are perceived as annoying or pushy.

Interviewing is a tough job. It is like walking on the edge of a knife. Just be mindful to maintain your balance and not press too hard and you can be successful. If you did your best take pride in having met the challenge.

And one minute after that well-deserved pat on the back, get busy evaluating where you stand, learning what you can to improve, and preparing for the next phase of the process. It is not over yet.

Next week the series A New Job: will continue with "Evaluation, Negotiation and Rejection."