Are you looking to become a new hire in the growing job market and are looking for a little help to ace your next interview? There are certainly things to help you stand out and land that job offer, but very careful preparation is essential before you walk in that door.

Now before the day of the interview, try to recall these tips so that when you get into the actual meeting you will be equipped with a plan and not improvising.

1.  Get ready early and arrive ahead of time. Arrive with ample time to review your notes or get familiar with your surroundings.

2. Try to stay calm by doing some light meditation or reading, reducing your stress levels will benefit you in the interview as you want to come off as polite and assertive.

3. Do your research on both the position and company you are applying for so you are prepared to answer any questions knowledgeably.

4. Think about potential scenarios and questions you could see the interviewer asking you. Mock up a whole interview if you have someone to help you.

5. Once the interview is over and you can breathe again be productive in the days following by writing either a personal email or thank you note!

By approaching an interview with a pragmatic plan you can ensure that you are giving yourself the best chance possible at landing the job. As Forbes stated, “Don’t just regurgitate what’s on your resume, dive deeper into it and explain what you’ve done.” Use this as your chance to demonstrate how you can be of value to the company!