Heather Johnson joins us today with a great primer on how to ace the interview. I especially like Heather's emphasis on building confidence by planning, researching, and practicing before the meeting. Enjoy! -- Kim Isaacs

Most people dread going on job interviews. The stress of meeting new people, dealing with tough questions, and possibly losing a good job opportunity is enough to unnerve even the most self-assured people. The good news is that with a little preparation, you can "wow" the interviewer and become a frontrunner for the position. Follow these 10 tips to ace the interview:

1. Research the Company - Employers are impressed by candidates who take the initiative to learn about their operations. Your research findings will also help you ask relevant questions during the interview.

2. Learn About the Interviewer - If you know who is interviewing you, find out a little more about the person. Check out the company's website for employee bios or visit social networking sites like LinkedIn. Be careful not to overdo this, though -- you don't want to appear like a stalker.

3. Practice - Ask a friend, family member, or colleague who is experienced with job interviews to roleplay with you. Here's a list of 50 common interview questions that you can use as a starting point. Just going through some possible interview questions will help ease your nerves.

4. Dress Appropriately, Yet Comfortably - Wear your best business attire for an interview, but don't squeeze into something that's uncomfortable. You'll feel awkward and your physical discomfort might affect your performance.

5. Tell Yourself You Don't Need This Job - Even if this seems like your "dream job," convince yourself that you don't need the job. This way, it won't be the end of the world if the interview doesn't go well.

6. Be Punctual - Plan ahead and allow some extra time for traffic, as you will not make a good first impression if you are late.

7. Make Eye Contact - Make direct eye contact with the interviewer. This shows that you are genuinely interested in what the interviewer is saying.

8. Remain Calm - When people are nervous, they tend to rush through conversations. Take your time while answering questions, and think before you speak.

9. Ask Questions - The interview will help you determine if you even want the job, so be sure to ask questions. You may discover that this isn't the job for you.

10. Thank Your Interviewer - Not only should the interview end with a "thank you" and a handshake, follow up with a thank you card as soon as you return from the interview.

Perhaps the most important rule is #8-you will perform better if you appear calm and collected, even if you are shaking on the inside.

By Kim Isaacs and courtesy of ResumePower blog.