Body Language

Pay attention to how the potential manager handles questions. Does he or she seem impatient or willing to take the time to explain things to you?

Conversation?

Take note of how your potential manager conducts the interview. Does he or she explain the job and then ask how your prior experience fits? Or is it an interrogation? If it's more of a conversation, that's a good sign. It means your potential future boss is open and probably isn't on a power trip.

Chat With employees

One of the best ways to get a sense of a potential boss is by asking current and former employees. Ask pertinent questions like, What is his or her management style? How does he or she handle employees who make mistakes? Does he or she care about employees' career trajectory?

Hallway Interaction

Notice how your potential boss interacts with employees as he or she walks you from the waiting area to the office. Does he or she say "hi" to colleagues? Or do people run away when he or she comes walking down the aisle?

Ask Lots Of Questions

Sure, your potential boss could be a great actor. But if you ask good questions, you're likely to get honest answers. Some things to ask: What's your management style? How often do you have staff meetings? How do you handle employees' ideas? How do you handle it when people make mistakes?

Be On Time

Being late is the surest way to flub an interview. It says nothing good about your organizational skills and tells the prospective employer, who has set aside time to meet with you, that such efforts simply don't measure up to the importance of Y-O-U.

Dress Appropriately

It never hurts to be a little overdressed, even if you're interviewing at a wild startup where T-shirts and jeans are the order of the day. You want to show the prospective employer that you're serious, professional and ready to work. Dressing like a punk rocker or Lolita may create a lasting impression, but not the one a successful job-seeker wants to make.

Make Eye Contact

Make eye contact with everyone you meet during the interview. If nothing else, this shows confidence. It also shows that you're interested in what people are saying and therefore the job. Interviewers are sizing you up, and you want to get a feel for the company.

Don't Yammer

Here's how the game is played: The interviewer always serves. It's your job to deftly return the shots. Keep your responses short and to the point. Don't ramble or blather about irrelevant topics. Don't try take over the interview by talking endlessly and ignoring the interviewer's concerns.

Don't Brag

Employers look for competence and confidence. Endless boasting, putting others down or blaming co-workers betrays an acute lack of confidence and will kill whatever chance you had at landing the job. The interviewer wants to know what you can do--not (horrors) what atrocities have been visited upon your innocent little head by nasties at previous jobs.

Extra Copies

Be sure to have several extra copies of your résumé with you, because things routinely get lost in the shuffle and you can't be sure everyone will have a copy. Hand your résumé out as needed to those conducting the interview. Keep it simple: White or off-white heavy stock paper beats puce, lime green and candy apple red hands down.

Be Honest

Rule of thumb: An honest question deserves an honest answer. Don't overstate your educational background or work experience. If there are gaps in your résumé, be prepared to discuss them openly and honestly. Never claim to be a victim.