Job interviews don’t have to be stressful. If you keep a few things in mind before, during, and after your interview you’ll make a great impression.

Before the Interview

First impressions are everything in a job interview, and you want to look your best. Invest in a high-quality interview suit and make sure that your overall appearance is clean and well groomed. Stay away from flashy jewelry, heavy perfume and anything else that would distract the interviewers.

If your career field requires work samples or credentials, make sure that your portfolio will also make a good impression. Invest in a leather binder and professional printing on high-quality paper.

While you don’t want to sound rehearsed at a job interview, you also don’t want to fumble for answers, so practice is essential. If you’ve interviewed for other positions recently, think of questions that were difficult to answer. Look for sample job interview questions online and in career preparation books. Create a list of potential questions and think of a few points that you could talk about in response to each one. While you can do this in writing or in your head, the best practice is to go through a mock interview with a friend or mentor so that you can practice your presentation and the overall impression you make.

Another important part of interview preparation is research. At the very least, you should visit the company website to understand the company’s mission, projects and organizational structure. You can also read the company’s annual report and look for it in the news. You’ll not only get a better feel for the place you may someday work, you’ll be ready to ask relevant and insightful questions during your job interview.

During the Interview

When you arrive, consider every moment you spend in the office a part of the job interview. If you have to wait, be patient. Be friendly, and treat any employees you meet with respect. You want to leave a good impression with everyone, not just your interviewers.

Answer every interview question thoroughly, using specific examples of actions and results, but also be concise. Stay on topic and keep all comments professional.

Watch your body language during the interview. Don’t slouch and don’t fidget.

When the interviewers ask if you have any questions, make sure that you do. Sometimes questions will occur to you naturally as you go through a job interview, but if not, this is where your research will come in handy.

Finally, relax. While it’s easier said than done, if you’re relaxed, you’ll give your interviewers the impression that you work well under pressure, and you may even find yourself enjoying the experience.

After the Interview

Send a thank-you note as soon as possible after your job interview. In addition to thanking your interviewers for their time, this is also your last chance to sell yourself as the perfect candidate for the job. Summarize your experience and qualifications and leave them with one final positive impression.