The job interview is the single most important part of the hiring process. There are certain interviewing patterns of those who get hired and those who walk away empty-handed.

Avoid the top three mistakes job seekers make in their presentation:

• Not understanding the purpose of an interview
• Not understanding how to use the interview as a tool
• Not knowing how to answer questions the “right” way

Demonstrate your skills, and answer questions with proper delivery, tone and attitude.

The following are four tips on how to make the most of an interview:

Feel confident
Review your interview questions, know your strengths and weaknesses; relax and sustain a friendly personality and your confidence will grow. Get a friend to conduct a mock interview. Time, record and listen to it. Ask yourself, how you came across answering the following questions:

• “Tell me about yourself?” The interviewer is really asking, “Why do you think you are qualified for this position?”

• “Do you like working with others?” is really asking, “How outgoing and multi-dimensional are you?”

• “Tell me about an experience from a previous job that will help you in this new position?”
Use proper body language to build rapport

Do sit up straight in your chair, project engagement and position your body to face the interviewer. Interviews can be nerve racking, and watching your nonverbal cues, delivering concise answers, and expressing enthusiasm, all at once, can be a juggling act.

Exude energy about yourself
Everyone has an aura that says how we communicate and connect with others. You need to understand how to use that energy to influence others around you and get what you want.

Know when to stop talking and listen ...