You only get one shot at making a first impression. Small mishaps that might be overlooked if they happen occasionally when you are already an employee are considered big mishaps during a job interview where there is no previous behavior to compare the interview behavior to. Here are 5 things to remember on interview day.

1. Arrive at the interview destination 10-15 minutes early. Cutting it too close to the scheduled time or showing up late gives the impression you are unreliable. You may need the extra few minutes to go through a security check or wait on a long line in the company’s lobby to receive an entrance pass.  Or you may need the time to find a parking spot. But don’t arrive too early. Arriving 30 or more minutes before your appointment time can make the hiring manager uncomfortable.
2. Turn off your cell phone. This shows courtesy and demonstrates that the meeting is very important to you.
3. Pay attention to your body language. Maintain eye contact (without having a creepy stare), lean a bit forward rather than back, keep your arms uncrossed (crossed arms may subtly communicate you are not approachable) and avoid distracting behaviors like change jingling and hair twirling.
4. Ask questions. An interview should be a conversation, not an interrogation. Asking questions helps build the rapport and trust between a candidate and hiring manager and it helps the candidate uncover valuable information about the employer’s needs. It is best to ask questions during the interview rather than at the end.
5. Reiterate your interest in the job. Make sure you let the hiring manager know that you are very interested in the job and reiterate why you are a good fit.

All of these behaviors help suggest your interest and enthusiasm for the position and help position you as a strong candidate.