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Imagine this: you’ve just wrapped up your interview and you feel confident that you absolutely nailed it! Now all you’re waiting for is the follow-up e-mail confirming that the job is yours. Sounds pretty great, huh? Before you can get to experience this feeling, though, you’ll need to put in a little bit of work. While some people may be able to completely wing an interview and still do well, the most successful interviews are a product of proper preparation and effort. Read on as I share 20 tips that will prepare you for your next interview.

1. First things first, visit the company’s website and get to know them — know the company’s products and services, and their values intimately.
2. If the company provides a software, for example, get familiar with it. You can dive right in and download the software and test it out. Doing this ensures that you can speak to the product in an intelligent and well-informed way during your interview.
3. Look into whether the company you’re interviewing with has been in the media recently. Learn about any recent events or panels the company may have been involved with.
4. Do a deep dive of the industry that the company belongs to. You want to be on the lookout for any recent trends and news.
5. Review the job description thoroughly to ensure that it is aligned with your skillset.
6. Contemplate why you want the job, and what you are hoping to get out of it.
7. Put some thought into how you are going to introduce yourself and deliver your elevator pitch.
8. Begin to prepare answers to basic interview questions such as “why do you want to work here?” and “what are your strengths/weaknesses?”
9. If the position you are interviewing for requires you to utilize a specific technical skillset, take the time to brush up on those skills. You can practice by working on a mini project or assignment or online hands on labs.
10. Prepare the questions you want to ask the interviewer in advance. Make sure they are thoughtful.
11. Use LinkedIn to research the people you are meeting with.
12. Consider reading through employee/company reviews to get a feel for how the company is perceived by others.
13. Reflect deeply on your accomplishments and skills, and think about how you will present this information during the interview.
14. Practice your interview etiquette —remind yourself to pay attention to your body language, and ensure that you are making eye contact.
15. Reflect on your previous work experience so you can be prepared for “tell me about a time” questions
16. Determine how you will articulate your goals.
17. If you have any gaps in your resume, be sure to think ahead about how to address them.
18. Dress for success — your appearance is often the very first thing that employers notice when interviewing you. Think about this ahead of time. Dress appropriately, even if the interview is being held virtually.
19. If your interview is virtual, think ahead about your setup. Be sure to choose an area in your home with optimal lighting and a strong wi-fi connection. Make your space as distraction-free as possible. Test your audio as well, while you’re at it.
20. Have a positive mindset — go into your interview feeling confident and believing in yourself. Whether you need to meditate, practice deep breathing, or recite affirmations to get you in the right frame of mind, go for it!

There you have it! By following these 20 tips, you are setting yourself up for a successful interview. Your interviewers will know that you are well prepared and eager to join their company. They will also be able to detect that you have dedicated both time and effort to learn about their company. So, best of luck — I know you’ll do excellently in your next interviews!