Whether a recent college grad or a grizzled veteran of big business, interviewing for a job can be a nerve-wracking experience. More than a few people have experienced a sleepless night on the eve of a job interview, underscoring the stress many associate with interviews.

While the stress may not be completely eliminated, there are ways to boost one's confidence about the interview process. And the more confident the prospective employee is entering an interview, the less likely they are to be a bundle of nerves before and during the interview.

The following should help boost confidence for the next interview and could help one land their dream job.

Preparation

Much of the stress that comes with a job interview is the fear of the unknown. That's why recent college grads are typically more stressed out for a job interview than professionals who have been there, done that in the past. Whereas the veteran pro knows what to expect, the recent grad has no idea. However, proper preparation can help one know what to expect.

• Research the company. Extend one's knowledge beyond just the job being interviewed for. The more one learns about the company, the more informed his answers will seem to the interviewer, and the more the answers can be tailored to the company's goals.

• Ask yourself what questions you would ask. Interview questions, particularly for entry-level positions, are often predictable. After an interview is scheduled, think of the questions one is likely to be asked, and then think of thoughtful answers to those questions. While it's good to think of answers ahead of time, make sure the answers focus on ideas instead of actual answers, so the responses don't seem rehearsed.

• Write down what you bring to the table. Regardless of the position, a prospective employee is almost certain to be asked how their past experience applies to it. The response to the question should be a home run, as there must be a reason the resume was mailed in. Be prepared to confidently explain why you are the right fit for the job.

• Bring your own set of questions. Be prepared to do some interviewing yourself. Have an extensive list of questions available, and if they are answered during the course of the interview, simply check them off the list. If you don't have a list of thoughtful questions, it could give the impression of indifference about the position.

Performance

While there's no way of knowing the success rate of the most qualified candidate, it's certainly not a 100 percent guarantee he or she will get the job. That's because a job interview isn't just about a resume, but about the candidate as well.

Even the most prepared person might not land the job if that preparation doesn't translate to how well he performs in the interview.

Be sure to do the following at the next interview.

• Arrive at least 10 minutes early.

• Have a pen in case there are applications to fill out.

• Make eye contact with the hiring manager when both of you are speaking.