You may think, "Why should I worry about that? The interviewer has the power, and I don't." That is precisely why you should strive to make that powerful person feel comfortable, even happy, in your presence. A great many interviewers hate interviewing. They know they're not good at it, and they are dealing with strangers and asking questions to fill a job with which they are unfamiliar.

So what should you do? Be friendly. Pay attention to eye contact. Listen carefully to what is said and, if a question is unclear, seek clarification. If some glitch arises, laugh it off. Be wary of challenging a question unless it is patently offensive. Stress your ability to work with others. Let your body language signal that you are both professional and amiable. Don't ask any questions that might put the interviewer on the defensive.