It could be the most important hour of your career.

The job interview is the precious period in which you are sized up by a powerful person who may well decide whether or not you get the position you want. You can prepare for the interview just as you do for many another tests and enhance your chances of winning an offer.

A new book may help you do just that: "Don't Blow the Interview," published by St. Martin's Griffin and written by Ralph Ferrone, a long-time advertising executive in New York who has made a deep study of the art of the interview.

Ferrone argues that your goal in the interview is to stand out from the crowd of applicants. So, when you're preparing, learn all you can about the employer, its market and competitors.

"The greater your knowledge, the more confident you will be," he writes. "The more confident you are, the greater your interview success.  The greater your interview success, the greater your potential for faster job placement."

Ferrone says that even before the interview you must pay attention to every detail, such as something as specific as your e-mail address. "The initial impression that the potential employer receives begins with your e-mail address. Do not use one that is adolescent or plain silly, such as "hot dog," " mrcool" or "tampababe."

Also, he advises, check your outgoing cell-phone message; make sure it's concise and professional.

If you use a person as a reference, let him or her know beforehand. In the interview itself, avoid tired words such as "like," "you know" and "cool."  They annoy some interviewers so much that they automatically reject the applicant.

Preparation pays off

On the other hand, being prepared can really pay off. You can guess in advance what certain questions will be, and you have on-target, rehearsed responses. 

When the interviewer inevitably asks you to describe yourself, limit your response to 60 to 90 seconds. If you are too verbose, the interviewer tunes out.

Be a good listener, says Ferrone. Be patient. Let the interviewer do the bulk of the questioning if possible (an 80/20 balance is ideal.)

Also, do not attempt to interrupt, correct a comment or show an attitude.

The interview is also the best time to score points -- slip in some comments on the importance of teamwork and work ethics.

Do not initially risk turning off an employer by asking questions that pertain to salary, time off or office hours. There will be ample time to do so later, assuming your interview goes well. 

If the question of salary is thrown in your lap, and you are uncertain what the job pays, a good response is: "My primary objective is to work for the XYZ Company; While money is important, it is a secondary consideration -- I am sure that I will be treated fairly."

If you were able to research the salary range, you can begin by saying, "I understand the industry is paying $00,000-$00,000 for this type of position.  However, my primary objective is to work for the XYZ Corp."

Come to the interview prepared with five or six questions of your own to pitch so that you're sure to end up asking at least one or two since some of them may be asked by the interviewer.

Meal etiquette

Ferrone has an additional set of instructions if the interview is held in a restaurant:

"Arrive at the restaurant first. Wait for your host to arrive before being seated. Order simple food that is easy to cut and chew, nothing that is sloppy or requires work, such as shellfish, finger food, steak, pasta. At the completion of the meal, be sure to get follow-up directions. Do not attempt to extend the conversation. Lunch is over.

"But compose a follow-up letter and, ideally, have it received that day or the next morning. A follow-up letter is very important, and it is amazing how many people do not take the time to write.

"It enables you to sell yourself further by demonstrating your professionalism, your understanding of business procedures, your communications skills and your continued enthusiasm for the job.  Prospective employers are looking for that spark, the energy indication that you really want this position.  The letter should be sent the same day as the interview, or within 24 hours."

"Your follow-up letter to the person who interviewed you," says Ferrone, should include:

• Thank you for your time
• An expression of interest/enthusiasm
• Why you are a good fit
• What you can contribute
• Reference to points discussed during the interview
• Restatement of any follow-up agreement

If you later receive that long-awaited job offer, do one last thing: write an individual thank-you letter to each person you interviewed with.  Thank each one for his or her support and confidence and for the opportunity to join them and work together.

This touch could well reinforce their decision to hire you, demonstrate your professionalism -- and, yes, score another plus for you.

Send individual letters because letters are often circulated to other people who are involved in the interview process.  The letter that you sent to one person may be terrific, so much so that it is passed on to someone else.

Ferrone also presents several dozen sample resumes and letters for various situations as well as many common questions and answers that arise in interviews. By rehearsing your answers, you usually improve them. Typical questions you may have to answer:

• What accomplishments are you most proud of?
• What was the last book you read (or the last movie you saw)?
• Why do you think you are qualified for this position?
• Also some sample behavioral questions:
• Are you the type of person who loves to win or hates to lose?
• Are you aggressive or conservative?
• How do you relax?

And much, much more than that.