On your first day in kindergarten, your mother helped pick out your clothes, reminded you of proper manners and sent you off into the world to make a great first impression on your teacher. I am writing this short article with some motherly advice on how to prepare for a professional job interview.

Being prepared for your first real job interview is based on the principles your mother taught you on that first day of school. Be prepared, look your best and be polite. Lets review each of these keys to success as it relates to an interview.

1) Be prepared. When you went for your first day of school, your mother made sure you had your lunch, your notebooks and your pencils all ready in your book bag. In order to be prepared for your job interview you need to take the same steps. First, be sure and bring your briefcase or your portfolio with all the needed documentation for the interview. This includes extra copies of your resume, business cards, reference sheets and letters of recommendation. You may also want to put in a brochure or any information about the place you are interviewing inside the portfolio so the interviewer can see you have done your research before you came. Be sure to come with a written list of questions. Nothing will stop an interview in its tracks than a candidate with no questions for the interviewer. Think like a boy scout. What could you need during the interview? Pens, of course, maybe blank paper to write the answers from the questions you will ask, paperclips, and, if you are a woman and wearing nylons, an extra pair tucked into your purse in case they run before the interview. You should have something light to eat before the interview in case your stomach starts to growl, and visit the bathroom before the interview starts. OK? Ready then.

2) Look your best. I know the trend is to casual these days, but not on your interview. You should know from doing your research ahead of time the corporate environment where you are interviewing. You want to look like one of them, only a little better. Dont wear wrinkled clothes, clothes with stains, or anything so odd it takes away from what you are saying during the interview. Your hair should be tidy and clean. Your nails should be clean (can you hear your mother now?). Your shoes should be shined. Your breath should smell sweet.

3) Be polite. I am amazed at how rude some people can be on interviews. If a candidate is rude during an interview, I sure dont want them handling my customers and representing my company. Shake hands with a firm grip. Look people in the eye. Say something complimentary about the room, or a picture on the desk. Speak clearly, dont mumble. Dont run ahead of the interviewer during a tour of the facility. Hold doors open, or hold the elevator. When the interview is finished and you are at home, remember to send out a thank you card to the facility, thanking them for the chance to go on the interview. It is the polite thing to do. Your mother told you that long ago.

The skills needed for a successful professional job interview are simple to master and are common sense. They are the kinds of things your mother taught you on that first day of school. Remember?