Individuals invited to an on-site interview already possess and have been screened for the basic educational and work experience required for a job. During this interview, candidates face intense scrutiny, probing questions, and employers who are afraid to make mistakes. As a result, a truth about the on-site interview is that the job does not just go to the person with the most experience and skill, rather the person who is also the most prepared for the meeting and convinces the employer that he/she is the best person for the position.

Impressions formed during the first five minutes of the interview are seldom changed during the next 30 to 60 minutes—therefore the maxim, "you never get a second chance to make a first impression" is well worth repeating. Let's hit some detailed steps to the on-site interviewing process to give you the competitive edge with this critical stage of the interview and beyond.

Appearance is the first detail you communicate during the interview. Before you have a chance to speak, how you dress is called to the interviewer's attention and a conclusion is made about your competence. Many people object to having their capabilities evaluated on the basis of their appearance, but instead of debating the merit of such behavior, it is best to use it to your advantage.

Perhaps the best approach is to invest in a conservative business suit. A suit always looks professional and shows that you are serious about finding a job. Your suit should be well tailored and dark in color—preferably black, gray, or navy blue. In addition, your clothes should be ironed and spotless, shoes polished—with a belt to match; cologne, perfume, and make-up should be used in moderation, facial hair and fingernails need to be well manicured, and jewelry should be left at home. Feeling comfortable is just as important as looking professional. If you are constantly shifting because your clothes are either too tight or loose, your body language may communicate a less than positive message.

It is also important to invest in a quality, all-weather coat and large umbrella. This is especially important when traveling from one region of the country to another. Unfavorable weather should not prevent you from arriving at your destination looking your best. Additionally, make sure you are equipped with the bare essentials. Bring extra copies of your resume and any paperwork you may have forwarded to the employer; the names and contact information of references, an updated college transcript, a copy of your best writing sample, plus a portfolio and non-plastic pen. Going to an interview without these items is like a soldier going to battle without his or her gun.

If driving, prior to the interview, map out your travel route and perform a dry run. This decreases your chances of getting lost, and gives you an idea of the traffic patterns during the hours preceding your visit. The day of the interview, leave even earlier than you did during your dry run to compensate for any unexpected delays. If the site is not local, secure a hotel room close to your destination the evening before your interview, if possible. It is important to arrive early, but equally important to arrive well rested.

Upon arrival to the office, introduce yourself to the receptionist and give the name of the person you are scheduled to see. It is important to be courteous to this person, in addition to everyone else you meet. Employers are known to solicit or consider the reactions of such employees prior to making a final decision on your candidacy.

If you are in the reception area for a while, keep your hands exposed to keep them from getting clammy. When the interviewer does arrive, stand to your full height before taking a step, look alert, extend your hand, look them straight in the eyes and offer a greeting. Make sure your handshake is firm, but not crushing. Don't worry if your hands are a little damp, most interviewers understand that this may not be an easy moment for you. If the interviewer strikes up a conversation en route to their office keep the conversation positive. For instance, it's a poor idea to comment on how bad the weather or traffic may be. You may prompt the interviewer to think—at least subconsciously, that you are a negative person or that you secretly wish you were someplace else.

Willie French, manager of Diversity Recruiting for Verizon, adds, "People tend to want to be associated with positive people. That quality should be incorporated into your responses, comments, and interaction with the interviewer."

Research has shown that we send 55 percent of our messages through body language, 38 percent through tone of voice, and only 7 percent through words. We conduct the majority of our face-to-face communication through eye contact, posture, gestures, expressions, and tone of voice. If you neglect the power of non-verbal communication you greatly diminish your chances of interviewing success.

Many employers hire people they like and believe will interact well on an interpersonal basis. Therefore, you should communicate that you are a likable candidate by engaging in the following non-verbal behaviors:

Now that you're seated before the interviewer, and have survived the first five minutes, it's time to discuss why you are the best candidate for the position. Demonstrating knowledge about the employer and position you are interviewing for is perhaps the best way to communicate this. Learn as much as you can about the company beforehand. Know its products and services, profit margin, major competitors, history, or anything else you can think of.

It is even more important to demonstrate your knowledge of the position you're interviewing for. Obtain a copy of the job description from your campus placement office or via the Internet, and research the role prior to the interview. This will help you identify which skills are most important to the job, empowering you to better tailor your answers to highlight how your experiences relate to the position. Research will also help you determine whether the position complements your goals and interests.

Another key to interviewing success is self-knowledge. Before the interview, analyze your strengths and weaknesses to determine exactly what you want and do not want to communicate. Prepare "short stories" about yourself that highlight your experience and exemplify traits employers most value. Evaluate questionable areas in your record—employment gaps, lack of experience, and low grades—and be prepared to offer a strong case for those blemishes. It is important to be able to discuss in detail not just your experiences, but the lessons learned, results gained, and the challenges overcome.

Sam Knowles, manager of National Recruitment with Verizon, says, "The most impressive candidates are able to discuss their background and how it relates to the position. Instead of stumbling through a disjointed litany of resume sound-bites, they are concise and to the point, and able to paint a vivid picture on the extent of their experience."

French adds, "Self-knowledge empowers you to provide the interviewer with examples of proven accomplishments and how you changed a potentially negative situation into a positive one, which is the type of can-do attitude that employers seek. This will also eliminate the possibility of being viewed as cocky or overconfident because you're backing up your talk with measurable results."

Overall, self-knowledge will help you articulate your strengths, and prevent you from volunteering negative information about yourself without the necessary positive spin.

What you do in closing the interview is just as important as what you do before and during. When an interviewer asks, "do you have any questions?" never answer with a "no!" How can you make one of the most important decisions in your life—accepting a job offer—without knowing more? Even if you are sold on the position and have a clear understanding of the responsibilities, if you don't ask the interviewer questions, he or she may assume you're not interested in the position.

Knowles of Verizon adds, "Good questions elicit positive responses from the employer and demonstrate your interest in and knowledge of the organization. It also indicates that you have an interest in the opportunity and hunger for more knowledge to assist with your decision if offered a position."

As you leave, try to maintain the same level of enthusiasm, interest, and sincerity you brought to the interview. You should thank the interviewer for having taken the time to speak with you, express interest in the job, ask what the next steps are, and write a thank-you letter within 48 hours after the interview. This last simple courtesy reminds the interviewer of your visit, and may spur a reconsideration of your candidacy if it was in question. If you do not hear a reply from the interviewer in a timely fashion, it is perfectly acceptable for you to call him or her in follow-up. As effective as this standard approach may be, surprisingly, many people neglect it.

The secret to on-site interviewing success is not locked in a vault secure enough to trip the cleverest thief—rather; it's a mix of confidence, practice, and most importantly, preparation. Take your career into your own hands. Prepare for the interview as you would a final exam. Like your final, the interview is a test, and your success will be a direct reflection of how well you have prepared for it.