After you have finally got your resume just how you want it. Once your Linkedin highlights all of your experiences and the cover letter you’ve sent off is stellar, it’s time to understand the art of interviewing. Interviewing for a job can be an overwhelming task. You may ask yourself, “What Do I Say?” or “How will I nail this?” Luckily for you, the job interview is the last step before obtaining a job offer. You’ve made it through the hundreds of applicants now here’s your chance to shine and show the hiring manager what you’re made of. Here are five stellar tips to make sure you knock your interview out of the park.

Be Authentic

The biggest thing to remember when interviewing for a job is that an interview is just a conversation. The hiring manager is looking to see if you are capable of doing the job to its fullest capacity. Here a secret: They already think that you can that’s how you got the interview in the first place. With that said, just keep it real. There is no need to lie, make up false stories or pretend to be someone you are not. Of course, aim to be as professional and respectful as you can but own who you are. People can sense when a person is true to who they are and it’s so evident when someone isn’t. Stay confident, stay respectful and be authentic.

Be Mindful of Your Nonverbal Presentation

When interviewing in person body language is so important. You can be the smartest, most qualified person for the job but could lose an opportunity due to poor body language. When interviewing make eye contact, sit up straight and don’t fidget. Remain calm with your feet planted on the floor, keep your hands in your lap and make sure you aren’t chewing gum. The tone of your voice should be conscious as well. Be natural but be sure to sound engaged and invested in the conversation.

Research! Research! Research!

As a potential employee, it is your job to have a firm foundation of knowledge about the company. Make it a point to understand not only the role and job description but also the company culture and mission. Every company has a mission or vision statement that you can find online. For example, Google’s mission is to organize the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. (via Google.com) Showing a hiring manager that you’re knowledgeable about the company makes you an informed candidate for the job. The more you know, the better.

Know Thyself

One of the first questions that interviewers always ask when conducting interviews is, “So tell me about yourself?” This question is the perfect opportunity to talk about why your experiences make you the perfect candidate for the job. This is not a time to tell the hiring manager about your hobbies or how you just binge watched the last season of Game of Thrones. Make an effort to thoroughly explain your experiences. A smart thing to do if you’re doing a phone interview is to print out your resume before the interview and use it as a guide to answer this question. If you’re in person make sure you’re fully capable of talking about your experiences from your resume that speak to your qualifications for this role.

Ask Compelling Questions

At the end of every interview, the hiring manager may ask you, “Do you have any questions I can answer?” This is another way to heighten your chances of snagging the job by asking a question that is informed and thought-out. For example, you can ask something like, “I read in a recent issue of Fortune that your company is moving from print ads to digital how does this affect your department?” With a question like this, it shows you have done research on the company and that you’re invested. Use current publications or things you may have read online to formulate strong questions. Don’t ask anything too intrusive or unprofessional. Use this time to make a lasting impression on the hiring manager with an insightful question.

Job interviews can be tough, but after reading this article, you should be more prepared. If you have any specific questions, contact me or comment them in the comment section below.