The Job Interview
When job interviewers meet you in person, they want to find out three important things, namely: 'Why are you here?' 'How can you help us?' and 'What kind of person are you?' (these questions are rarely asked directly, but they could be, so be prepared to answer).
Why are you here?
This is another way of asking "Why do you want to work here specifically?" If you've answered this in your cover letter, great! Now repeat out loud how the company's goals, philosophy, mission, business practices, service policies, innovations, etc. coincide with your own objectives, values, and background. If you haven't researched the company, too bad for you; your lack of interest in the employer will be mirrored by the employer's lack of interest in you.
How can you help us?
This question asks how your knowledge, skills, and accomplishments will benefit the employer. Again, if you've stated this in your resume and cover letter, excellent! Now say it again and back it up with concrete evidence that you've brought to the interview.
This "evidence" doesn't have to be a full portfolio – just a few well-chosen samples that provide proof of your KSAs. Some examples: academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, employee evaluations, awards, newspaper or magazine articles, brochures, technical drawings, creative designs, paintings, photographs, illustrations, diagrams, sketches, charts or graphs, product samples, scale models, inventions or innovations, displays, presentations, reports, essays, research papers, experimental results/conclusions/summaries, project outlines or synopses, contract proposals, business plans, cost/benefit analyses, program developments. If an opportunity to "show your stuff" doesn't arise during the interview, ask to present it at the end, and then offer to leave your samples for the interviewers to further examine at their leisure.
What kind of person are you?
Call it what you want (personality, behaviour, attitude, character, temperament, disposition, etc.), the kind of person you are is extremely important, and is often the determining factor in whether you get hired. Moreover, it's something that interviewers evaluate merely by watching and listening, so there's no point in you trying to convince them with words – their observations will be the judge. If they want second opinions on your personality, they'll ask other interviewers or contact your references and ask for a candid assessment.
Nevertheless, the following tips can help to make a good impression: Dress appropriately for the position you're applying, be courteous to everyone you meet, remain alert and attentive, and thank the interviewer(s) before you leave. If you don't understand a question, ask the person to rephrase it. If you're having trouble formulating a reply within a reasonable time, ask to come back to that question later. When asked a Yes or No question, elaborate. And when you can't answer a factual question, an "I don’t know" response is better than wading blindly into a pool of quicksand.