Being prepared for an interview is a must in order to give a great first impression to your potential employer. Here’s how to be at the top of your game:

1. Research. Get to know the company and the people including their competitors, financial performance, culture, management style and even their colleagues. This should be easy with the help of the Internet. Look up people on LinkedIn connected to the company and talk to them to get information from the inside. Feel free to talk with people who have worked for the company in the past to get an idea of what it’s like to work for them.

The more information you get, the better. It will boost your confidence.

2. Prepare Answers. Though you can’t predict every question that may be asked during the interview, you can still prepare for the potential questions that may pop up that day. You can search for the most common job interview questions online and practice. Don’t hesitate to ask a mentor or a friend to help you. Use the chance to relate your skills and talents, including your experiences in your previous company.

3. Be concise. Don’t omit information when answering—but it’s important not to drag on at the same time. Don’t use more than a minute when answering a question, and be enthusiastic and succinct at all times.

You don’t want to leave your interviewer bored, especially when he or she has a lot of candidates to talk to.

4. Rehearse out loud. Don’t just practice in your mind.You need to make sure that you can effectively get your points across.

This doesn’t give you a license to sound robotic. No matter how many times you’ve practiced, youstill need to sound genuine and believable. Invest time in practicing your answers, and ask a friend to observe andlisten, andgive you some tips on how to improve.

5. Prepare Questions. Interviewers like applicants who don’t hesitate to ask questions during the interview. This will help you build more rapport and be more comfortable when having a professional discussion.

Ask questions to show how interested you are in the role. Make sure you address any concerns and how you will be evaluated. This should calm your nerves and help create a more natural conversation.

6. Follow Up. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t hear something back from the company. Make sure to ask when it’s best to follow up after the interview, and contact the appropriate person after the stated date. Your persistence may set you apart.