As long as there have been jobs there have been job interviews. Ever since the foundation of modern business has been laid, the nature of the job interview has changed. The way it used to work was you show up, you look like you can do the work and the job was yours. Job interviews have changed since the industrial revolution, however. If you want to prepare for the hard-hitting questions a modern-day entrepreneur will ask you, you will need to do a lot of planning.

1. WRITING A RESUME

First, you will need a resume. Resumes are not that hard to write, they just take some time.

Write down all of your past work experience. The businesses you've worked for, the titles you held, how long you were working at each job, your responsibilities and all the skills utilized at the job. Jump online and go to a website that offers free resume templates.

Be honest on your resume. Lying about your abilities is not worth the risk.

Do not list legal troubles you've had in the past on your resume. This is what the companies background check is for. A list of laws you've broken in the past will not help you get employed.

The more focused and specialized your resume is for the position you want, the easier it will be for the person in human resources to see your accomplishments and credentials. Keep items on your resume related to the job.

Know your resume, so when you go into a job interview you're not surprised with questions about something you placed on there. Quite a bit of time can pass between writing a specialized resume and getting that interview.

2. KNOW THE COMPANY

Do some research on the company and prepare a list of questions for your interviewer. This list could be strictly about job details, or it could go deeper into the history of the company. Ask about the company's structure, and go online to research whom the key players are. Being familiar with what the company does will also help you ask pertinent questions about the position, as well as show the potential employer that you have the initiative to check the company out. If you walk out unsure about whether or not you want the job, the interview can be considered a failure.

3. REHEARSE

From knowing how to get to the business to knowing what your main strengths are, it is always best to rehearse parts of the interview before hand. Make sure you know where the business is located so that you're not late for your interview. Try finding it the day before, so that you can estimate how long it will take to park and get to the building. You will also want to practice answers to questions that shouldn't take you too long to answer. Employers will know if you're unprepared and losing eye contact because you have to think of something like your biggest weakness will seem like you weren't prepared to talk about yourself. Some sample questions you may want to practice answering are:

What are your strengths?

What are your weaknesses?

What did you like about your last job?

What didnt you like about your last job?

Where do you see yourself in five years?

4. DRESSING APPROPRIATELY

When you go in for a job interview you will want to look your best. Consider the type of job you are applying for and dress accordingly. Interviewers look for good hygiene and if you look and smell like you slept by the fire, they may decide to pass on you. Try to see yourself from the interviewer's perspective and then ask yourself, "Would I want to hire this person?" If you answer "Yes," you are one step ahead. If not, make some changes in your appearance. Some things youll want to make sure of:

Make sure your hair is neatly trimmed and styled.

Make sure your fingernails are clean or manicured.

All clothing should be clean and neatly pressed.

Avoid overwhelming perfumes and colognes.

Avoid heavy makeup.

If you don't normally wear a beard, be clean shaven.

Always shower before an interview, even if you already showered in the morning and the interview isn't until later that day.

Don't forget antiperspirant or deodorant. Even if you shower right before an interview, you may sweat on the drive over.

5. BODY LANGUAGE AND FIRST IMPRESSIONS

Now you're clean, dressed and you have your resume looking good. You're almost ready for the interview. Psychologically speaking, the first impression is the most important. Human beings form a first impression in about four seconds. About the amount of time it takes to look a person up and down. It doesn't matter where your interviewer's eyes are when you meet (if this is the first time you are meeting them), you should be looking straight at their eyes from the moment you walk in the door. Make eye contact; stand up straight and smile often, but not aggressively. You will have a greater impact on the interviewer if you come off as a happy person.

Body language says a lot about the person being interviewed. Dont cross your arms or play with your hair. Actions like these come across as aggressive or show boredom; two things your interviewer does not want to see. It is hard to hide nervousness and insecurity. It is perfectly normal to be nervous during a job interview and the person interviewing you understands this. As long as you're not dripping beads of sweat into their coffee you will be okay.

6. PREPARE TO ANSWER

While the interviewer is asking you questions, keep a professional demeanor. Answer the questions honestly and in a steady tone. Don't make any sudden or wild motions and don't overdo your hand motions.

If you have had legal troubles in the past, don't get caught off guard when you're interviewer asks you about them. It is the interviewers right to get the information about your past so they can make a decision to whether you are truly right for the job. Maintain body language and answer in a straight-forward manner while keeping eye contact. Having legal troubles in the past won't bar you from the job, but lying about it will most certainly ruin your chances.

Answer any and all questions given. Focus your full attention on the interviewer.

If you were fired from your last job, explain the circumstances to the interviewer. If it was indeed your fault, take the blame and tell them how the experience helped you grow. Never bash the former company, the interviewer will wonder if you will feel the same way about them if they give you a chance.

Have all documentation with you. If you haven't given them a reference sheet, now is the time to do it. You may also have a portfolio of work that they would be interested in seeing. Sometimes you can let your work speak for its self.

If the interview is going well the interviewer might take some time to show you around the work area. This is a good sign, and be sure to take in as much about the surroundings as possible. Let the interviewer lead you around, and try to spot a few places where things could be done more efficiently, and tell the interviewer if you notice something that you think works well. If you see something that a worker is doing that is blatantly dangerous or unsafe, say something immediately.

Keep your eyes peeled and ask questions that are relevant.

7. FINISHING UP

When it seems that the interview is coming to an end, recognize it and act accordingly. When the interview is over, get ready to leave but don't look anxious to do so. Stand up when the interviewer stands up and shake his or her hand before putting on your coat or getting out your car keys if applicable. Always thank him or her for the opportunity to interview with the company, and always thank them for their time. This shows that you feel their time is valuable and important. Then make sure you follow up with a thank you note or email that is polite and professional, and follow up if you don't hear from them within a day or two.

Remember, you are not going to get every job you interview for. If you don't get a job, just think of it as a learning experience. Review what happened in the interview, and try to remember what might have gone wrong the next time. Every interview, whether it ends with a job offer or not, is a chance to learn a bit more about presenting yourself well, and brings you that much closer to landing the next job you interview for.

For additional help in preparing for a job interview check out:

Jobweb.com

www.Allbusiness.com

www.resumagic.com

And now, for a humorous example of what NOT to do at a job interview, check out this article at How To Ace Your First Job Interview.