Interviewing for a job, of course, often is crucial as to whether or not you get it. Here are some clues that may help.

Research the company. Make sure you have questions during the interview. It shows you've done your research, and that shows the interviewer that you've done your homework. That impresses him. However, never talk about money (salary/benefits) until they offer you the job.

For the interview, dress one step up for what the regular employee wears on that job. Your clothes and shoes should be clean and presentable. Your clothing shows your history, values and culture.

The best smell is no smell. Perfume and cologne should only be for intimacy. Never smell like cigarettes, including your coat. The interviewer assumes a smoker will waste time with more breaks, alienate other employees and be a health/insurance risk. Be aware of your breath. And, of course, no body odor.

Never be late for a job interview. If you realize you'll be late, phone in and change everything. Don't apologize and say you'll be 15 minutes late. They'll assume you'll be irresponsible and late for work regularly. Don't be too early; you'll make people uncomfortable. If you're at the place early, check out the break room. You may find some interesting information on a bulletin board or overhear employees saying interesting things. Ask them questions.

If applicants are being interviewed all day, try to schedule yourself to be first or last in the morning or afternoon. They (the interviewer and the receptionist - they'll ask her what she thinks "of that one") tend to remember you more and your paperwork is more visible.

About your paperwork. Your resume should be pertinent to that job and never be more than one page in a very readable type on plain paper. Your cover letter is the place to have "personal" information such as how your spouse/family would either be beneficial or fit in to the community. If you've had a legal problem that they'll find in their research, write about it briefly in your cover letter - how you've solved that problem, learned from it and can help others because of it.

In starting the interview, the handshake shouldn't be distracting - just a normal, one-second handshake (not too tight or too wimpy) with good eye contact. It's OK if you initiate it if the interviewer doesn't. Same with at the end of the interview.

The icebreaker topic should be something non-controversial such as the weather. Never anything political.

Keep your face interested and, again, have good eye contact throughout the interview.

Avoid distracting movements such as playing with your pen, adjusting your tie, shaking your leg, preening your hair, tapping the table, scratching your skin or body anywhere.

Keep good posture. Lean slightly forward as it shows you're interested. Don't lean too close as you'll intrude on their personal space. Don't slouch. Keep your chin up, shoulders back.

Be a good listener. Never interrupt. Avoid interjections such as "anyway, like-a, ya know."

Talk slowly, loud enough in a lower voice with a pleasant tone. Pauses are OK; don't fill silences with interjections. It shows you're listening and thinking. Don't use slang or swear words. Be careful of your grammar or accent.

Be poised and charming - those attributes combine all the positives.

Again, have questions. At the end of the interview ask when and how you can connect with them. And, again, charm the receptionist.

Here's this week's tidbits

• Watch next week for news about a new bakery and changes in Riverstone.

• Style notes: Percents, ages and dimensions always are numerals (not words) unless they're the first word of a sentence, and avoid that. With ages, write "5-year-old boy" or "he is 5 years old." If it's obvious you mean an age, such as "the boy, 5, ate snakes," just use the number only.

• Contact Nils Rosdahl at [email protected].