Congratulations, your job application has opened the door for an interview.

The interviewer will be looking for clues as to your attitude, skills and experience that match both the job and work environment. Your time together will be limited. How can you prepare to make the most of the opportunity — and get invited back?

Step 1: Learn about the company.

Visit the company Web site to get a sense of the vision, values, history and culture. Find out about the company's products, services, locations and customers. If the company has a public location, stop by and observe how business gets done. Think about how the job that you are seeking helps the company achieve its goals.

Step 2: Know how you fit.

Make a list of the job requirements and qualifications. For each item, jot down your strengths, weaknesses and examples from your prior experience that would demonstrate your ability to perform that function well. Even if a job requirement would be new for you, think of your experience in another area that you could apply to be successful.

Step 3: Decide what to say.

Develop a few points that will help you convey who you are and what you bring to the job. Turn your list of job requirements and related experiences into a series of questions that you answer aloud. Practice until you feel comfortable in responding to questions about your attributes and background. That way, you will be able to focus on what the interviewer is asking, rather than being distracted with worry about your answers.

Step 4: Make a positive impression.

First impressions have a significant impact on interview outcomes. Your words take on different meanings through nonverbal signals — appearance, attitude, tone of voice, eye contact, gestures, posture—all of which the interviewer uses to interpret the messages that you are trying to convey.

Your demeanor on the outside begins from within. Look forward to the interview; view it as a learning experience, no matter what the outcome. Know your qualifications and have confidence in your ability to do the job. Plan ahead to ensure that you are appropriately attired and groomed, arrive in the parking lot 15 minutes early, and have your resume and other information with you.

During the interview, stay engaged and focused, maintain good eye contact and match your energy level to that of the interviewer. Be calm, courteous, positive and professional. Speak clearly, truthfully and with enthusiasm. Think before you speak, and use examples that will highlight your strengths. Avoid making negative comments or volunteering negative information about yourself or others. Let your personality come through; you want the interviewer to make a hiring decision based on the real you.

Step 5: Ask good questions.

Interviewers also learn about you through the questions that you ask. To prepare in advance, draft a few questions: Where do you see the company going in the next five years? What are the key goals of this department? What do you consider to be the most important aspects of this job?

Use questions selectively and appropriately. As the interview closes, thank the interviewer and ask about the timing and next steps in the screening process.

Step 6: Follow up.

Send a letter within a day of the interview, thanking the interviewer and expressing continued interest in the job. If you do not hear from the company within a reasonable amount of time, make a followup call. In hiring situations with many applicants, an employer may take longer to decide on the right person. Remaining in contact may help to keep you in the running.

— Cheryl Moore is executive director of the Workforce Investment Board of Ventura County, which administers federal funds that support eight Job & Career Centers in the county. These centers provide employment assistance, career training and education services to job seekers, and employee recruitment, customized training and business consulting to local employers. For information, call 800-500-7705 or visit http://www.wib.ventura.org/.