Too many job seekers set themselves up for failure before the interview ever takes place. They fail to target their audience, demonstrate relevant skills and experience, or present themselves in a way that grabs the attention of potential employers. Plan for success and avoid these ten deadly interview mistakes.

1. Interviewing before you have a handle on your emotions. Get a handle on your emotions before you interview. Find a way to get past negative emotions fear, worry, anger, and embarrassmentbecause they erode self-confidence. And an employer can spot them a mile away!

2. Failing to research the company before the interview. Do your research and find out everything you can about the company and the interviewer before the interview. You can be sure your competition will!

3. Not knowing what you have to offer or how to offer it. Determine what you have to offer and how best to present it to potential employers. Dont leave it to them to guess what you can do they might guess wrong!

4. Worrying about your agenda instead of the employers needs. Focus on the employers needs and demonstrate how you can solve his or her problem.

5. Failing to take the initiative in selling your service. Use every opportunity to let potential employers know what you have to offer. Dont wait for them to ask.

6. Not relating skills and experience to the employers needs. Relate your skills and experience to the employers needs. Make it absolutely clear how your skills match their requirements. Speak their language.

7. Making negative comments about past employers or co-workers. Find ways to compliment past employers and co-workers. They must have done something well, after all they hired you, didnt they?

8. Offering hypothetical suggestions rather than real world solutions. Prepare at least five real world examples of how you solved a problem in a previous job. Dont be shy about relating these solutions to the potential employer when asked about skills, abilities, job responsibilities, or accomplishments.

9. Discussing salary before you understand the job requirements. Postpone salary discussions until you fully understand the job responsibilities and the interviewer has offered you the position.

10. Asking Whats In It For Me Questions about salary and benefits. Ask questions that demonstrate your interest in the company and the position--questions that probe for information about how you can help them.