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For many people, being nervous is a natural and unavoidable part of the interview process. Instead of fighting your feelings of worry and woe, remember to breathe deeply and smile. By just doing these two things your body will send signals to your brain to relax, allowing you to focus on the interview at hand, not the feeling in your stomach. Preparation can also help calm nerves. Learn as much about a potential employer as possible before the interview. A business information site like Manta.com can provide you with a plethora of facts for free.

Instead of worrying about what could go wrong in your interview, project an image of success. Find a friend to help you prepare and have them “interview” you with questions that your actual interviewer may ask. If you can’t find someone to “interview you” then practice in front of a mirror. You’ll be amazed what you notice about your physical/facial responses to questions.

Maybe you’re new to the interviewing scene. Maybe you’re a seasoned veteran. Either way, it is imperative to look clean and well-put-together for your interview. Make sure that your clothes are clean, pressed, and lacking any distracting additions (such as a loose thread, a missing button, etc.). You want your clothing to project a professional appearance. If you’d wear it out to the club on Friday night, it’s not want you want to be wearing to your interview. Women should avoid overpowering fragrances, extremely extravagant jewelry, too much makeup or anything else that draws the interviewer’s attention away from your professional accomplishments.

While you don’t want to answer your interviewer with simple “yes” or “no” answers, be careful that you aren’t going into too much detail. Be prepared to give examples without rambling on and on about yourself. Make sure to highlight your accomplishments but make sure what you are saying is relevant to the interview. A general rule of thumb: you should be speaking about one-third of the time. Remember that a good interview has a give-and-take feel to it; make sure that you give the interviewer the opportunity to answer any questions that you may have.

Research the company that will be interviewing you. Knowing the company’s background, competitors, and other information will make it easier for you to ask intelligent questions of the interviewer as well as give you insight into whether or not you are interested in working for a particular company. Manta.com offers a simple registration process that grants access to millions of free company profiles.