How will you measure up when your next potential career move is on the line? A job offer isn't always based on who has the best job skills, but rather who the potential employer feels is the best choice for the position. Once you've gotten the employer's interest with a good resume, leverage the interview.

1. Research the company—Go to the company's Web site and find out about the company's history, products, customers, growth, and financial results. If you have a recruiter, ask about the interviewer or other people the recruiter placed there in the past. Let the interviewer know you have researched the company and are very interested in an opportunity with the company.
2. Dress for success—Always wear conservative business attire for an interview. Even if the company has a "business casual" environment, dress as if you were meeting the CEO.
3. What to bring to the interview—Bring your company notes, directions, two extra copies of your resume, reference names and numbers, and a pad to take notes.
4. Promptness—Don't be late! In fact, arrive about 20 minutes before your interview. If you expect to fill out an employment application, then 30 minutes. Allow for unexpected traffic. While you are waiting, look for a company newsletter to read or review your company notes.
5. Cell phone—Turn it off.
6. Complete applications—Fill out your application completely. "See Resume" will not cut it with HR and shows you don't like details. Print legibly. Employment applications are legal records of a company.
7. Integrity and accuracy—Your resume/application must be accurate. Use month and year on job history, and don't hide jobs or stretch dates. Most companies now require a background check that includes employment history, Social Security verification, a criminal check, perhaps a DMV check, degree verification, and salary verification. Some companies require that you produce a current copy of your pay stub before they'll extend an offer. If you are concerned about something HR will discover, bring it up before they find it.
8. Personality—Wear a friendly smile from the moment you get out of your car until you get back in it. You never know whose path you'll cross. Greet your interviewer with a firm handshake. Remember that first impressions are the most important.
9. Courtesy—Wait to be invited to sit. Never put your personal belongings on the interviewer's desk. Avoid an offer of a cup of coffee unless the interviewer is getting a cup. It's awkward to hold a cup of coffee and juggle your personal belongings.
10. The Interview—An interview should not be one-sided. Keep the interview a 50/50 exchange of dialogue. Ask questions about the job, the duties, the company, current IT projects, future IT projects, and directions. Show interest in what the interviewer says. If your answers are all short "yes" and "no" answers, the interviewer doesn't get a chance to see how you interact with people. Show how you would interact with a user or co-worker. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Give brief explanations of challenges and solutions to back up your accomplishments. Being able to briefly and clearly describe a task or responsibility is a sought-after skill in itself.
11. Summarize and Sell—Summarize your understanding of what the interviewer is seeking and reassure the interviewer that you are not only qualified, but also very interested. Ask questions: "Do you feel that my skills and personality would be a good fit?" "Are there any points I can give you more detail about?"
12. Salary—You must never be the first to mention your preferred salary, even if the employer pressures you to name a price. Letting a third party negotiate for you is always best. In the absence of a recruiter, let the employer offer a number first. Your answer should always be something like this: "I am open to any reasonable offer. I am really interested in the position, and I don't want to jeopardize my chances with the wrong number." If asked about a current or last salary, you can give that number, but keep saying, "I am flexible and open."
13. Closing the interview—Thank the interviewer for his/her time and reiterate that you are very interested in the position. Ask whether you'll be considered as a final candidate, what the next step is, and when the company is scheduling second interviews. Thank the interviewer again with a smile and a handshake and exit.
14. After the interview—If a recruiter sent you, call your recruiter immediately, while everything is fresh in your mind. The following day, send the interviewer a short thank-you letter (five to seven sentences) on businesslike stationary (not your current employer's letterhead!). Thank the interviewer again for taking the time with you. Reaffirm that you feel that you can do the job and that this is the type of long-term, challenging opportunity you have been looking for. Include your full name, daytime or cell phone number, and email address. If you have the interviewer's email address, you can email the note, but keep in mind we all get a lot of email.

Bob Langieri is the president and director of Excel Technical, an IT staffing firm in Southern California, and past president and current board member of OCEAN User Group. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..