8. Verify early what the company wants and show how you can deliver. Ask the interviewer to describe the scope of the position and the qualifications of the ideal person for it. If you already know that through research, you confirm the direction of your interview responses. If you're wrong, immediately shift strategy.
9. Don't chatter to fill a silence. Don't trash your boss. Don't bring up negatives unless you must tell your side to neutralize bad news that you're dead sure is coming.
10. Load up on questions that illustrate you care: "What do you expect the person you hire to accomplish in the first three months?" "Why is this position open -- what happened to the person who formerly held it?" "How is the company doing in this economy?"
11. Never leave without asking when a decision will be made, and whether you can call back or e-mail to ask questions or to check progress on the decision. These questions suggest your interest in the job and gracefully leave the door open to follow-up.
12. Always follow up! Use your e-mail thank-you letter as a sales tool, confirming that you offer what the company wants. When appropriate, include other persuasive documents, such as reference letters or awards. Not following up may be seen as a lack of interest in the job.