Fill in the blank: The best thing to do/say at a job interview is......

Hi, Angelina: ok, I'll try to fill in both blanks . . . "The best thing to SAY at a job interview is that you really want the job." "The best thing to DO at a job interview is to be prepared." In the first case, it's always a good idea at the end of the interview to say that you really want the job. The employer will feel that you are a serious candidate that is super motivated. More important though is the second fill in the blank. BE PREPARED! There is a ton of advice available on how to prepare for an interview, but it boils down to two things: 1. Know yourself and 2. Know the employer. In other words, know how your strengths fulfill the needs of the employer and be ready to give concrete and personal examples. Have good stories ready that illustrate your fitness for the job. Also, be ready for the question about why you like the employer's organization; and that comes from really studying the employer's website, doing article searches that refer to the company, and giving good examples of how well you know the organization. For example, let's say you are applying to work for the New England Patriots organization. Well, you had better know everything you can about the team and how they've done for the last 15-20 years, who their key players are, who their management is, and the entire organizational structure of the NFL. In other words, you need be a real football nut. The more you can demonstrate that you would fit right into the target organization, the better chance the employer will see the fit and offer you the job. Okay, this is a long answer to your question, so I'll stop here, but maybe you get the picture, eh?!

Be prepared for this question: How has your training, education, and work experience prepared you for this position? Regardless of whether they ask this question or not, you will need this information in your interview.

I would also encourage you to do some research on the company prior to your interview. Know their Mission Statement and any major stories in the news about that business. Then ask how your position will 1) fit into their mission statement; or 2) how your position will contribute to an initiative highlighted in the research you found.

This will show your interviewers that you did your research and you are here for the company, not yourself.
After the interview, the next day, write a thank you note to your interviewers and mail it the old fashioned way. An email is okay too. But nobody writes thank you notes anymore. This will make you stand out.

One cannot overstate the obvious: The "interview" starts prior to the interview!
1. Turn off your phone, or, better yet, leave it in the car.
2. Greet EVERYBODY who you see from the minute you leave your car to the minute you return to it.
3. Don't pull into the parking lot with music blaring or a dirty car. Sometimes they watch.
4. Remove all visible piercings, to include the one in your tongue (if applicable).
5. Spit out your gum (in the bathroom, not in the parking lot!)
6. Do not dye your hair any color other than the one you were born with. (oka, exaggerated slightly, but no green hair!)
7. Arrive about ten minutes early. Don't be over-early. Don't be late.
8. Find something to do while waiting, other than playing on your phone.
9. Dress appropriately. Do not display cleavage. Minimal jewelry.
10. Don't hide behind your hair.
11. Have a firm handshake, and make eye contact when shaking hands.
12. Watch your body language during the interview - no crossed arms!

I think the others have covered the actual interview!
good luck!
Also, remember that each interview stands alone. Don't evaluate them as a group. Sometimes the employees being tasked with conducting the interview are inexperienced. Sometimes they won't make eye contact because they are reading questions and taking notes. Learn from each one, and move on. The first few might even be considered "practice interviews."

Most of the work you do in an interview is done *before* the interview. The best thing to do is to research about the company, learn about their mission, what are their challenges, and how can you position yourself to help them.

And then, very important, during the interview do not answer with "I" but with "you".  This sounds obvious but a lot of people miss it: the company do not want to hire you to help you, they want to hire for you to help them. So, for example, id you are asked "why do you want to join us?" do not answer "because I am the best" but instead "because you have this problem, and I can help you solve it".

Based on my experience, I believe the best thing you can do in a job interview is be yourself and be prepared. Research the company and position and think of ways that you can leverage your strengths to set yourself apart based on your experience and the job responsibilities. Be prepared to give specific examples of where you feel you have displayed your strengths in previous roles, be honest about areas where you feel there is opportunity to learn, and why both make you a good fit for the role you are interviewing for.

For me, when I am interviewing someone for my team, what I am looking for is 4 things:

1) Attitude

2) Aptitude

3) Personality/culture fit

4) Experience

The best thing to do is be poised, friendly and professional.

The best thing to say is that you are knowledgeable but also willing to learn and that you are looking for the next challenge.