Jobseekers all over the country may be blowing employment opportunities by adhering to the widely circulated myth that the only appropriate attire for the job interview is a business suit.

Wearing a suit in the wrong place can quickly eliminate you from the running.

As a jobseeker, a primary goal is to demonstrate how well you fit the company's culture. If you arrive for the interview in a suit when the interviewer is dressed casually, you have 'shown up' the interviewer and probably will not be seen as a match for the company.

So what's a jobseeker to do?

You should call the day before and ask the department secretary what the dress code is. On a day with four interviews, you may have four outfits in your car, but nobody said finding a job was easy.

First Impressions

A jobseeker has to be qualified in order to get the job, but there will always be several other people who are equally qualified as far as the interviewer is concerned.

In the end, you will be hired because the interviewer personally likes you, not necessarily because you are the most qualified in the field of candidates. And many interviewers will know whether or not they like you within the first five minutes!

In addition to being dressed appropriately, here are some other ways to make a good first impression:

A Firm Grip. Look the interviewer directly in the eyes and smile when you meet, with a firm, but not hard, handshake. You may be surprised how important those initial gestures are to the interviewer's impression of you. If you avert your gaze, you may give the interviewer the impression of being shifty or unsure of yourself. If you give the person a "wet fish" handshake instead of a solid one, the impression may be that you are timid and ineffectual. If you crush the interviewer's hand, the pain will dim your luster.

Smiling sounds simple but it is one of the most important ways to succeed in the interview. It sets the tone for the entire session, projecting you as a pleasant person. Make it a point to look at the interviewer directly when you are answering his or her questions.

Body Language is Critical. Do not fidget. Assume a comfortable posture from the outset and avoid shifting your position or crossing and recrossing your legs. If you do, it may give the interviewer a message that you are uneasy or nervous. It could translate into a perception that you are trying to conceal something you do not want the employer to know.

Do Not Ask Too Many Questions. For the initial interview, contrary to what many were told by college career counselors, it is not wise to spend a lot of time researching a company and then demonstrating this acquired knowledge through strategic questioning of the interviewer. The fact is, you will never know as much as the interviewer, so your efforts will come across as contrived and, if the wrong statement is made, could offend the interviewer.

The primary goal of any job candidate is to sell himself or herself to the interviewer, proving that his or her skills and experience fit the job opening.

Questions should be limited to what the job responsibilities will entail and then responding, citing examples as to how you can fulfill those responsibilities better than the other candidates.

Be a Follower, Not a Leader. Yes, companies want leaders, but in the interview, it is more important that you follow the lead of the interviewer. Many jobseekers try to direct the interview so as to get across the points they want the interviewer to know.

Instead, you should listen for clues as to what the interviewer wants and try to be that person, within the scope of your own skills, desires and talents.

Anticipate the interviewer's questions as much as possible and be ready with all of your homework done. Then let the interviewer pick and choose what is to be discussed in the interview.

Stay Upbeat. Always try to be "up" psychologically for the interview. That is often the most difficult thing to do, especially if you have been job hunting for some period of time, but it is very important for the success of the interview. If you appear downcast or depressed, or are unresponsive to the interviewer's questions or listless in your approach, you will rule yourself out of consideration for that job.

Interviewers want enthusiastic, happy people who show a strong interest in the job. If you do not, another candidate most assuredly will.