Q: I have an upcoming interview that's critical. I haven't done very well in the past with most interviews, based on the fact that I haven't gotten the jobs, but I didn't especially care about them. This job is different. I really want it, so whatever I am doing wrong, I need to correct.

Here's what I do that I think is right. To prepare for the interview, I study the job requirements and review my work experience and skills. I'm really not sure to do when it comes to asking questions. I know a person is never supposed to ask about the salary and benefits before the interviewer tells you what they are. Once the interviewer explains stuff like that, and asks if you have questions, then it's OK to ask more. I am also lost when an interviewer says, "Tell me about yourself." Should I talk about me personally, my life, my outside interests, what I'm like as an employee? It's such a general question and depending on how nervous I am determines how I answer. And, what am I supposed to say when I'm asked at the end of the interview if I have any questions?

A: Questions from the interviewer and the interviewee are an important part of the interview, so asking the wrong questions or responding with inappropriate answers to their questions can eliminate you from the competition. Interviewers want to know everything about you, and experienced interviewers will do more than ask you about your skills and experience. They pay close attention to what you choose to share with them, how you express yourself, and how you see yourself fitting into the company. Your answers show them whether you have analytical abilities, discernment and common sense.

As a comical but real life example of faulty interviewing, one young man shared that he "liked working as a caddy at a country club because he liked hot weather and being out in the sun. If he was asked to explain his casual jobs and outside interests, he should have said he was a golf enthusiast and it was a good part-time job before graduating or entering the business world. He was interviewing for a full-time office job that was not at a country club. Childlike joy is beautiful to see, but not a welcome attribute for a young man interviewing for a serious position. He did not get the job.

You must prepare yourself for your interview. Know in advance how your skills and work experience will help you transition into the job and how you can contribute to the team or the department. Learn as much as you can about the company so you can ask thoughtful and appropriate questions about the company's goals and direction.

Interviews are a two-way proposition. The boss wants to know if you will fit into the company culture and department, but you, too, should want to know if you are in sync with the boss' personal work style. Ask questions such as, "How would your employees describe your leadership style? How would you describe your department's culture? What are the goals for your department? What are the top priorities for the person in this job? What attributes would make this person effective and successful in the job? Form questions from the boss's perspective to show you are interested in fulfilling his or her needs, and ask questions from your (the employee's) point of view. You both have to be happy for you to be successful.

Practice interviewing with friends; don't wing it. Feeling confident will reduce your nervousness throughout the interview. Describing yourself is not enough; offer examples of past accomplishments. If you can't, you will appear as one who simply performs the job duties without thinking of ways to improve the processes in place.

You may be told about employee benefits and salary range. They are sharing the same information with all job candidates as part of the company's procedures for fair and equal treatment. This is not the time to question benefits or salary. You can ask detailed questions and negotiate salary when you've received a job offer. Once you're in the job, be efficient, flexible, and personable to get ahead.

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