There is nothing like the thrill you receive when a potential employer calls you up to schedule a sit-down interview. This means you have made it through round one of the hiring phase. Obviously, something in your resume or cover letter caught the eye of the hiring officer, so congratulations are in order.

Soon the reality of the situation sets in. Your nerves begin to jangle. You rummage through your closet, looking for your best shirt or blouse. You know you have to make a great first impression. After all, your future could depend on it!

Aside from the worrying, there are certain things you can do to prepare for a professional interview. The following provides a few tips:

Preparing for an Interview -- Learn About the Company

Nothing impresses potential employers like a job candidate who knows almost as much about their company as they do. The Internet provides a wealth of information. Target the company's website and find out the names of the big players. Take the time to read their annual report. This information can help you tailor your talents to the company's needs. Never miss out on an opportunity to let the interviewer know how you can benefit the company.

Preparing for an Interview -- Look the Part

Odds are, the person interviewing you will be wearing business attire. You should do the same. Dress for success and it will often follow. Many employers admit that first impressions make up 90 percent of the determining factor when considering potential new hires. Get a haircut and take your suit or dress to the cleaners. Professional attire will subconsciously cause you to feel better about yourself.

Preparing for an Interview -- Be Proud

An interview is not the time to feel bashful. Let the interviewer know about your accomplishments. If you won an American Legion Award in school, tell him about it. If you were captain of the tennis squad in college, let her know. If you were in the military for a couple of years, by all means, mention it. You never know where a common interest may lie between you and the employer.

Preparing for an Interview -- Positivity and Confidence

One thing is for sure -- you will never get the job if you do not make eye contact with the interviewer. You must be confident in yourself in order to make an impact. Walk into the room with a smile, shake the interviewer's hand and make immediate eye contact.

Preparing for an Interview -- Remember the Big Three

In most interviews, the employer asks a series of questions. Sometimes you may need to fill out a questionnaire. Information gathering is necessary to answer three questions:

No. 1 -- Are you a good fit for this company?
No. 2 -- Do you have the ability to fully do the job?
No. 3 -- Do you have the work ethic necessary to benefit the company?

Realize these questions before you sit down for the interview. Take the time to fully discover if you meet these three requirements for this company.

Preparing for an Interview -- Consider the Interviewer

Remember that the interviewer may or may not be the owner of the company. He or she may simply be a human resources worker, providing the employer with the information about the interview. Provide as relative information about yourself, so the hiring officer has a detailed picture of you. Put yourself in the interviewer's shoes. If you were interviewing yourself, what would you definitely want to know about yourself?

Without a doubt, a job interview is a stressful undertaking. However, if you prepare thoroughly and follow these easy tips, your next step may just be to prepare for your first day of work!