Not all interview questions are created equal. Some are even illegal. Interviewers cannot ask questions about your race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, national origin, marital status, or family matters. If your interviewer asks you any of the following questions or makes any inappropriate comments, it may be a red flag, a warning signal that you should look elsewhere for employment:

There is so much to do before the big day, so if you have the option, give yourself a few days to prepare. Go over everything on your résumé. Be prepared to talk about anything listed, from previous jobs to your educational background. Research the company as much as you can. Look at its history, mission and vision statements, and current projects. Try to relate previous experiences to the position you’re applying for, such as “While I served as vice president of the student body, I learned a lot about persuasion and compromise, which I know are two skills a marketing representative must have.”

Next, practice your answers to standard interview questions, such as “What’s your biggest weakness?” Think about the questions and jot down your answers. Stage a mock interview with a friend. You might feel silly, but practicing your responses will make you feel more confident.

No matter which field you’re in, certain interview questions show up everywhere:

• What can you tell me about yourself?

• Why do you want to work here?

• What kind of position are you looking for?

• Why did you leave your last job?

• What is your greatest strength? Weakness?

• Describe a problem you faced at your previous job and explain how you handled it.

• How do you handle stress?

• How do deal with interpersonal conflicts?

• What is your proudest accomplishment?

• Where do you see yourself in five years?

• How would you describe your work style?

• What motivates you?

• How do you evaluate success?

By preparing your responses ahead of time, you’ll boost your confidence and give yourself a little room to relax.

Once you know what you want to say, work on looking the part. You want to make a good impression, so be careful what you choose. Because you don’t know the person interviewing you, stick with a conservative look. Don’t wear baggy clothes, tennis shoes, short skirts, funky jewelry, or other inappropriate attire and don’t overload yourself with cologne or perfume. Also, be sure to consider the job and whether tattoos, body piercings, or extreme makeup will present a negative impression.

Make sure you know how to get to the place where you will be interviewing and how long it will take to you to get there, especially if the traffic can be heavy. Try to arrive about 30 minutes early, as you may have to fill out some paperwork before the interview. Being late is a signal to the person interviewing you that you’re not serious about the job. If you know you’re going to be late, call and apologize as soon as you realize it. Once you arrive, give another quick apology and sit down for the interview.

When you meet your interviewer, give a firm handshake, smile, and make eye contact. Have questions prepared to ask at the end of the interview. If you need to, write them down ahead of time and take them to the interview with you. Some examples of interview questions are as follows:

There are some things you need to take to your interview besides your winning personality. Grab a briefcase or folder and include the following items:

• Copies of your résumé

• A list of your references

• A portfolio if you have made one

• Paper and a pen

• Directions

• A cell phone in case something happens, but leave it in the car or turn it off during your interview

At the end of the interview, if you still want the job and feel you’re a good fit, say so directly. Ask the interviewer what the next step entails—a second interview, a background/reference check, and so forth—and when you can expect to hear from him or her again. Before leaving, remember to thank the interviewer for the opportunity. Following up with a personal thank-you note or e-mail is also highly recommended.

You aced the interview, and the company has offered you a job. Now you have to think about negotiating a salary. Negotiating may be uncomfortable, but it helps set the tone for your career.

The following steps can help guide you through the negotiation process:

1. Before you negotiate, figure out a reasonable salary for the position you’re interested in.

2. Using websites such as Salary.com, research the median salary for your profession based on your ZIP code, educational background, and experience.

3. Ask for a day to consider the salary offer. This will give you time to do further research and come up with a negotiating plan.

4. Don’t forget that you can negotiate factors aside from salary, such as benefits, vacation time, or a more flexible schedule.

5. When you sit down to negotiate, make it clear you want the job, make reasonable requests, and have a positive attitude.

6. Sell yourself and defend your goal if there is a specific salary or benefits that you want and that are in line with the job.

7. If you succeed in getting what you want, be sure to obtain the agreement in writing. If you don’t get what you want, consider how much you want the job. It may be beneficial to gain valuable experience even though you aren’t getting paid what you want.

8. If you decide to turn down the offer, let the company know you are still interested in a position if something else opens up.

Marketing yourself, searching for employment, interviewing, and negotiating all present their share of challenges. Now you have the knowledge to successfully land a job that fits your skills, talents, and goals. Go for it!