So you’ve sent in your CV with a beautifully-worded cover letter, hoping to get that job of your dreams. Then the day comes and your phone rings with the promise of an interview, but your stomach sinks to the ground. For some, getting through an interview is the hard part. Anyone can apply for a job, but how can you convince them, show them that you are deserving of their time and effort? Below are some simple ways that you can stand a little taller in your next interview.

Though it may seem painfully obvious, you need to keep track of where your application is heading. From a business perspective, they deal with hundreds of eager applicants on a daily basis, each vying for the seat you’re aiming for. To enter an interview without knowledge of the company not only demonstrates a lack of forethought but can offend the hiring manager who selected you.

Remember, an interview is a short window you have to show the employer what makes you so pivotal to the future success of their company. As dramatic as that sounds, it is important to present yourself in the best possible light. Though the questions you’re sure to be asked are the purview of the interviewee, try and limber up your memories. Elaborate on your experiences when asked, and show a depth of understanding. If you prepare too stringently, you run the risk of boxing yourself in. Stay loose and you’ll be prepared for any question thrown at you.

Be honest with yourself and the company. Everyone, whether your fellow interviewers or potential coworkers, are prepared for the typical interview responses. No one’s weakness is “working too hard,” and giving an answer as rehearsed and banal as that will do little but expose a larger, glaring weakness. To join a company is to make a silent agreement between you and your employer. Don’t be afraid to show your flaws, because what are flaws but opportunities for improvement? To grow within a company is to grow WITH a company, and nothing builds loyalty more than that.