Make a list of people who will say something specifically good about your performance, especially as it relates to the job you are applying for. Get permission from each reference and some idea of what they will say. List names, titles, phone numbers, email contact info and how they know you. A great recommendation letter is impressive. Find someone who is willing to say something positive and specific about your experience and achievements, whether he or she is a supervisor or a co-worker.

Interviewing can be scary. If you don’t land the job, remember, every interview gives you a chance to practice your interviewing skills and make an impression on possible employers. If it is a company that truly excites you, keep in touch with the people you met via a short email sent once a month. There may be another opening that suits you in the future and you’ll have a better chance of hearing about it if you have established relationships with those you met at your interview. With these 11 tips, you’ll find there is no trick to interviewing.

Pamela Kleibrink Thompson is a recruiter/hiring strategist and career coach. As a career coach, she helps clients identify their goals and devise strategies to attain them. As a recruiter, she helps her clients find top quality people. She has recruited for visual effects companies such as Digital Domain and Framestore CFC as well as animation companies such as Disney and Fox and software companies such as Macromedia. On Feb. 2, 2006, Pamela will be presenting a seminar on goal setting. For details see www.womeninanimation.org.