Job interviews can be stressful, but being prepared will help you present your past achievements in the best light possible. Here are a few tips from The Home Depot Canada on how to nail your next interview.

Review

The first and most important step is reviewing the job description to discover the knowledge and skills needed for the job. Pay close attention to the day-to-day tasks associated with the position and what experience is required for the position. Then cross-reference your resume for experiences that illustrate the knowledge or skills required.

Research

Identifying possible questions will help you feel more prepared and comfortable in structured interview process, so do your research on the company you are applying to. To show that you meet the requirements of the job, prepare specific examples of your past accomplishments. Use the examples of behaviors you demonstrated and link them to how you would perform in the new role. Remember the situation you were in, the action you took, and your results.

Practice

Practice makes perfect, so consider doing mock interviews with a friend or co-worker in advance. Take the research you did earlier and apply it. Try to anticipate what types of questions might be asked based on the job description and the knowledge and skills required. Make sure to prepare a few extra copies of your resume and a list of references to bring into your interview.

These tips will help prevent you from drawing a blank, forgetting an experience, or failing to mention an example because you didn’t realize its significance. Finally, remember to smile, be polite and try to relax in order to show your true character.  After you’ve wrapped the interview, a nice final touch is to send a follow-up thank you note.