So, you eventually want to get that job that possibly lands you in the running for a spot on the annual NPT Power & Influence Top 50 list of movers and shakers. Joe St. Leger, Managing Director at Reaction Search International in New York City, assists candidates in taking their career to the next level. He has advice to get you through any interview process:

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• "Tell me about yourself." Keep your answers in the professional realm only, including information about your previous positions, education and other forms of training, specialized skills, and any other credentials that may pertain to the position.
• "What do you know about our organization?" This is where your research will come in handy.
• "Why are you interested in this position?" Emphasize any skills or qualifications you have that make you the best candidate for the position. Also, reiterate your desire to work for this particular employer.
• "What have been your most significant career accomplishments to date?" Provide the interviewer with a brief rundown of some of your most recent accomplishments and/or projects.
• "Describe a situation in which your work was criticized." Place your focus not on the criticism itself, but on how you provided a remedy for the situation.
• "How would you describe your personality?" Accentuate the positive aspects. 
• "How do you perform under pressure?" Provide a specific example of how you met a tight deadline.
• "What have you done to improve yourself over the past year?" Examples could include taking training courses, attending seminars, networking with others in the industry.
• "What did you like least about your last position?" Stick to examples in which you can illustrate how you overcame a certain situation or dilemma.
• "Why are you leaving your current employer?" Answers such as "I'm looking for an opportunity to advance in my career" work best. Again, accentuate the positive.
• "How would your co-workers describe you?" Be honest, and be prepared to provide the name of someone who can vouch for what you tell them. Some interviewers may want to contact a co-worker.
• "What do you think of your boss?" Again, think positive.
• "What are your career goals?" If you're interested in a long-term position for the company you are interviewing with, tell the interviewer. Provide specifics about what makes the company a good fit for you.
• "Where do you see yourself in two years?" Concentrate on accomplishments you would like to achieve.
• "Why should we hire you?" This is your opportunity to wax poetic. If you think you're best suited for the position, say so. And be prepared to tell the interviewer why.

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• Losing sight of the interview objective. The objective is to get the job offer. This can't be over emphasized. If you lose sight of this objective, be prepared for the unpleasant consequences because the offer will likely go to someone else.
• Being too modest. Candidates tend to understate their capabilities. This doesn't mean you should overstate your qualifications, it merely means that you should make the most of what you have. Do not forget that knowledge of how to solve a particular problem can be a strong qualification, even though that knowledge may not have been applied directly in your job experience. A little modesty is a good thing, but don't overdo it.
• Asking too many "Me" questions. Remember, your objective is to get the job. Chances are that most of your questions in this area will be answered either by the personnel department or the interviewers. Don't pursue questions about what the company can do for you during the interview. Emphasize your ability to contribute to the company's goals. There will be a time to ask "me" questions after you get the offer -- not during the interview. If you leave the impression that salary and related perks are your number one goal, be prepared to accept the inevitable consequence of having the offer go elsewhere.  Failure to "sell" your abilities throughout the interview sequence. There is no such thing as a token interview. It may be true that some people you interview have no power to hire you, but they certainly have the power to keep you from getting the offer. You should treat every interviewer as the person responsible for getting the job. Do not treat anyone you meet as unimportant.
• Finally, do not even allow yourself to think an interviewer to be less important than others. Never depend on someone else to sell your abilities to others. Make the strong and positive pitch yourself.

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Courtesy of NPT Jobs, August 2005, Non-Profit Times, www.nptimes.com; entitled How Not to Screw Up The Interview by Stuart Kahan.