For any applicant looking for their dream job, one of the last barriers to beginning their career is the job interview. After weeks and months of applying to jobs and filling out applications, a short session with one or more interviewers is the last chance that an applicant has to impress a potential employer. The pressure to be successful in the job interview is heightened by the fact that graduates are competing with hundreds of other applicants for a limited number of jobs. Graduates who want a mental advantage heading into their interview should take this as a positive. An applicant who makes it into the interview room has already been successful at several levels and has the skills to be successful in the future.

This confidence does not translate immediately into a successful interview. Applicants need to know the best way to present themselves to potential employers. Proper attire is the first step toward success in the interview room. The best way to approach interview attire is to go with multiple layers. For example, a young woman interviewing for a sales manager position can wear a light jacket and a matching top to go with the rest of their outfit. Multiple layers allow a candidate to dress up or dress down depending on room temperature or the need to get more comfortable.

During the interview, applicants need to think about the answers they give and the body signals they send to interviewers. The key to a good interview is to be forthright and honest in answering questions. Telling a lie or an exaggeration during the interview will lead to a removal of a candidate's application from consideration. Honest candidates put themselves in a position to demonstrate their real talents and potential but also earn the trust of future supervisors and colleagues. In answering honestly to each question, an applicant can shape their answers to fit the job's specific responsibilities.

Body language and eye contact are just as critical as honesty during the interview process. A candidate needs to sit up straight, avoid excessive movement with their hands and appear professional throughout the interview. Applicants also need to look their questioner straight in the eye during the question and their subsequent answer. Both of these steps demonstrate that a candidate is focussed during the interview and can stand up to the pressure to appear professional at all times.

Finally, there are many books on body language and behavioural techniques in stressful or negotiating situations. These range from the business field to the medical / psychological fields, which promote relaxation, composure and ability to recall facts and respond effectively.