You have just landed an interview for your dream job. Believe it or not, the hard part isn’t over just yet. You still have to convince your interviewer that you are the best woman or man for the job! Learning how to conduct yourself in an interview is one of the best things that you can do to advance yourself professionally.

It doesn’t matter if you’re fresh out of college or are a seasoned employee looking for a new job—the interviewing process never seems to get any easier. After all, talking about yourself can be tough no matter how much job experience you have. Going on an interview is actually a lot like going on a first date–you are meeting someone new, trying to convince him/her that you’re a great person, and getting interrogated about your past.

But there is hope! Being well prepared for a job interview will help to alleviate some of those first-impression jitters. Here are some tips from our job-hunting experts that will help you ace your interview and land your dream job:

Do your homework

Do your research about the company before the big day. Gathering some basic information about the company is a great way to impress your future employers. Common interview questions from the human resources department include “why do you want to work for us?” and “what do you know about our company?”. Knowing as much as possible about the company’s mission statement and future plans can help give you a competitive edge over other people who might be interviewing for the same position. So, take a look at the company’s website and see what information you can find!

Practice makes perfect

Take some time to practice your answers to typical interview questions. You can practice with a friend, in your bathroom mirror, or even videotape your responses so you can gauge how well you did. Employers love to hear actual examples about your past work performance, so think about your work history and make a list of ways that you have helped improve your previous company. Giving concrete evidence of your success will definitely help impress your future employer!

Get ready to dazzle them!

Providing a good first impression is the key to starting off an interview on the right foot. It is very important to be on time (in Interview Land, this means being ten to fifteen minutes early), well-groomed, and properly dressed. If you’re feeling particularly nervous, you can take some time the day before and drive to the office to see how long it would take you to get there. Know the interviewer’s name and make sure to use it during your conversation! If you really want to score a home run, bring a nice portfolio with copies of your resume. Take notes during the interview and don’t forget to maintain eye contact.

Stay calm

We know this is easier said than done! Try to stay as calm as possible during the interview. If you’re not sure what’s being asked, don’t be shy to ask for clarification if you don’t understand the question. To end the interview on a positive note, remember to thank the person who conducted the interview. Follow up with a personal thank-you note to restate your interest and remind the company who you are.

Now, go, and knock their socks off!