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Job interviews aren’t meant to be comfortable. By nature, they’re meant to put you on the spot. To test how you’ll respond under pressure and in a tough social environment. That doesn’t exactly put you at ease, does it?

What if I told you that first impressions are everything? That you can lose a job based on how you present yourself both physically and verbally? Sweating yet?

Here’s the thing: interviews might seem daunting, but if you obey a few simple rules, they’re pretty easy and can even be fun.

After all, if you don’t get the job you’re after and you’ve made a good impression, you’ve just created connections in your field, regardless.

So, here are a few tips for making that good first impression:

Be Prepared

One of the most common questions you’ll be asked in an interview is, “Why do you want to work for us?”

It’s a question that leaves a lot of potential employees stumped and stuttering. “Uh, because I need a job?” That’s not an option. You have to give your potential employer a cogent, well-prepared answer.

A business owner’s primary job is to protect a company’s culture. They want to ensure that whomever they hire is not only fit for the job, but a fit for the company’s vision and purpose. If not, the odd person out will only create a deficit in morale and possibly drag down productivity.

This is why you must research the company before you a) apply to the job b) go the interview. You want to be a part of their company? You want to contribute to the business and earn your keep? You have to know who they are and why you want to be a part of the experience. If not, what’s the point?

Google the company. Google the heads. If they have a wiki-page, trawl through it for information. Find their social media pages and study them, study their brand, their followers, their mission. Understand what they want and prove that you’re going to provide it.

Ask Questions

Not, “So, like, what’s your favorite band?” but more like, “Where do you see your company in five years?”

This isn’t just them interviewing you, it’s you interviewing them. If you don’t feel the company is a right fit for you as a person, you have every right to turn them down. The opportunity isn’t an opportunity if it doesn’t fit you.

Ask questions that are important to you. Do you need natural light in the office? Ask about the lighting? Do you want to know what the office routine is like? Ask.

Remember, however, there’s a fine line between polite enquiry and downright rude inquisition. Too much and you’ll put off your employers. The trick here is to display that you’re interested in their company and want to ascertain whether they’re a good match for you.