Nonsense. The interview is actually a wonderful opportunity to mix up a cocktail of charm, elegance, professionalism, and results-driven conversation that will have future employers asking for just one more round.

You just need to stay focused and, for a lack of better words, keep it real. It will work to your benefit in the long run.

Keeping in mind that you may actually work with the person sitting across from you can give you an amazing amount of clarity. You can imagine how things will be, day to day, as you interact with the few people that crossed the halls as you walked into the hiring manager’s office. This is your time: don’t stress. Be confident, relaxed, and an open book. Be thoughtful with your responses to each question while maintaining a balance of honesty. If an unorthodox answer comes to mind, just say it. Maybe its the creative answer that the company your interviewing with is looking for. It is truly impossible to anticipate exactly what a company wants in an ideal candidate, so if you just be yourself your saving everyone a lot of wasted time.

So many people feel that impressing the manager is the main idea of the entire interview, but there is much more going on. The questions being asked. The answers given. The silence, the body language, the head nods, the sighs, the interruptions that makes things slightly awkward. The constantly thinking “did i say this right?, did i speak too soon? did i speak too much? Does my breathe smell? If my breathe does smell, can they tell from that far away? am i sitting too close?”

the list could go on. and for many, it does.

Here’s the trick: just be yourself. Its your best way in and your best way out. In–if you really belong. If you really fit well with the organization. And if you be yourself, you will be able to find that out for yourself at the exact same time, rather than 3 months later when you’ve tricked yourself into thinking the job was valuable even though you were miserable. whew. that was a long sentence.

Imagine the weight that could be lifted off your shoulders if you didn’t have think about the script of replies you have practiced time and again in front of the mirror. If you’re trying to be perfect, it will be blatantly obvious. Do not rehearse your answers. They will come off as insincere and forced, which is a very poor impression for a manager who is trying to find someone trustworthy, honest, and dedicated to their job. Trustworthiness and honesty are a little “soft and cuddly” along the list of things someone is looking for in an ideal employee, but if you consider the mere chance that your going head to head with a candidate that has very similar experience and qualifications, the things that really “cut above the rest” are the things that are most hard to describe.

Clean shirt? Check. Clean shoes? Check. Clear mind?….Double Check

Now that you have the stress of putting on an act out of the way, the only thing you need to focus on is the details of your day. The day of your interview, wake up early. In order to ensure a clear and confident mind, make sure you have plenty of time to let your racing thoughts slow down. Drink some water and eat something healthy. Always bring a copy of your resume to the interview, as well as a pen and paper to take notes. Some companies use the interview as an opportunity for a quick skills or personality assessment, so always have your own pen. It speaks volumes.

As for what to wear? Keep it classy and dress to impress. No matter how leisurely the culture of the organization, it is still important to display your determination in snagging the job. Sharp, impressive clothing is an easy way to communicate your marketability. This also allows your to nonverbally communicate how sincerely interested you are in the position, without sacrificing what you would like to say in your interview responses. Let the clothes speak for you.

The follow up..

Depending on the size of the organization, the follow-up process may be difficult. Get the business card of the person who conducted the interview. More than likely their office address with be on the card. Now, remember the pen I mentioned before? Yes, the thing that has useless compatibility with your smartphone, laptop, or tablet. Okay, use that object to write a thing called a “thank you note”. Keep it short and sweet, simply thanking him/her for their time and the opportunity to discuss the potential of working together in the future, etc. etc.

Now, the waiting game. Some things to keep in mind: do not discuss your interview with the organization on any of your social networking profiles. If the company is interested in you, you’re equally as vulnerable for ‘creepin’ to be done in the times after your interview as you were just before. You now have a face and an image to your potential employer-don’t blow it with a tweet that says “Wow! That interview kicked ass! Now time to get crunk and celebrate!!!!!!”. It is also important to keep yourself looking “always available”. If you are a candidate for more than one position in multiple organizations, its unwise to discuss your decision dilemmas online. Company A may want to know that your exclusively interested in them and may get their corporate feelings hurt to see that you are toying with the idea of Company B’s great benefits’ package.

Just be smart. Or be strategic with your privacy settings.