After several weeks of applying for jobs, you’ve finally secured a job interview. Now, it’s time to figure out how you’re going to impress the employer and score a job offer. The secret to landing any job is your preparation for the job interview. To guarantee a win during your interview, it’s crucial to make a game plan. This game plan will require you to research the employer, prepare questions for the interviewer, and gather materials for your portfolio. To help you score a touchdown in your next job interview, follow these tips:

1. Research the employer and its hiring manager(s).
Before any job interview, it’s essential to learn about the game day lineup. Research the company and find out who will be interviewing you. These details will help you create a play that will relate your skills and experience to the position. As you research the employer, pay attention to company news, this blog, and the company’s social media accounts. This will help you learn more about the company’s culture and make it easier to answer questions during the job interview.

2. Be friendly to the receptionist
First impressions are everything when you arrive to a job interview. Show up to your interview on time and walk with confidence. This will show the employer that you arrived to the interview ready to win. Once you arrive to the office, the first person you’re likely to talk to is the receptionist. When speaking to the receptionist, it’s important to be polite and engage in friendly conversation. This will help you make a positive first impression from the start.

3. Be prepared to show your accomplishments 
Now that you’ve arrived to the interview, it’s time to show the interviewer what you’re made of. You’ve spent a great amount of time training and preparing for the big day, so don’t let this opportunity go to waste. Hiring managers look for candidates who can show them how you’ll be an asset to their dream team. During the job interview, show the hiring manager how you plan to be successful once hired. You can do this by presenting your portfolio and sharing accomplishment stories from your career.

4. Think through your answers 
Every play you make during your job interview is crucial to achieving your goal. This is why you need to think through every answer you provide during the interview. When answering questions during the interview, don’t feel pressured to immediately provide a response. This is key to providing well-thought out answers that will impress the interviewer. It’s also important to remember to breathe and take a few seconds to think about the question being asked. This will take the pressure off of answering the question and you’ll feel more confident in your response.

5. Thank the interviewer for his or her time 
Good sportsmanship is another important element of scoring a touchdown during the job interview. This is why it’s absolutely necessary to thank the interviewer for his or her time when the interview concludes. Firmly shake the interviewer’s hand and thank him or her for giving you the opportunity to speak with them. After the job interview, send a handwritten note and/or email thanking the interviewer within 24 hours of the interview.

If you follow these tips during your next job interview, you’ll surely score a touchdown and land a job. Remember, preparation and confidence is key to any job interview. By researching the employer, having a positive attitude, and knowing how to illustrate your accomplishments, you’ll definitely impress any interviewer and score the job you want.