This months "Top 10 Interview Tips" are...

Great interviews arise from careful groundwork. Here are some tips to help make your next one a big success.

1. Enter into a state of relaxed concentration. Quiet the negative self chatter in your head through meditation or visualization prior to sitting down in the meeting.

2. Act spontaneous, but be well prepared. Be your authentic self, professional yet real.

3. Set goals for the interview. It is your job to leave the meeting feeling secure that the interviewer knows as much as he or she possibly can about your skills, abilities, experience and achievements.

4. Know the question behind the question. Ultimately, every question boils down to, "Why should we hire you?" Be sure you answer that completely.

5. Follow up with an effective "thank you" letter. This is another opportunity to market yourself. Find some areas discussed in the meeting and expand upon them in your letter.

6. Consider the interviewer's agenda. Your ability to do the job will need to be justified. Find ways to demonstrate your qualities above and beyond just doing the job.

7. Expect to answer the question, "Tell me about yourself." Carefully prepare your answer to include examples of achievements from your work life that closely match the elements of the job before you.

8. Watch those nonverbal clues. Make and keep eye contact. Walk and sit with a confident air. Lean toward an interviewer to show interest and enthusiasm and speak with a well-modulated voice.

9. Be smart about money questions. Ask what salary range the job falls in. Attempt to postpone a money discussion until you have a better understanding of the scope of responsibilities of the job.

10. Don't hang out your dirty laundry. Be careful not to bare your soul and tell tales that are inappropriate or the scope of the interview. State your previous experience in the most positive terms.