Keep the following tips in mind when interviewing:

• Remember why you're there. You were invited for the interview because the company is impressed with your work history and thinks you may have the qualifications to be successful there. Be confident and, without being arrogant, highlight your accomplishments and the skills you bring to the position.
  
  
• Breathe. If you're nervous, that's OK – many people feel the same way in this situation. Before responding to a question, take a second to breathe and gather your thoughts. This short, simple break will help set you at ease and create a more natural conversation.
  
  
• Don't fake it. If you're asked a question but don't know the answer, simply say so. You'll be better off admitting this than winging it.
  
  
• Avoid rambling. You can certainly give detailed answers, but make sure you stay on the topic. Going off on a tangent can be distracting and reflect poorly on your communication skills.
  
  
• Provide real-life examples. When you're asked how you would handle a certain situation, base your answers on your experience. For instance, instead of saying, "It's important for accountants to act ethically," describe a time when you made a difficult decision based on your values.
  
  
• Be aware of your body language. Often, how you say something can be more revealing than your words. Keep good posture, maintain eye contact and answer questions with enthusiasm. If you appear uninterested, it will show. On the other hand, if you remain attentive, you'll most likely engage the hiring manager in the conversation and make him or her more receptive to your answers.

ACCOUNTEMPS is a specialized temporary staffing service for accounting, finance and bookkeeping professionals. Accountemps provides support throughout an accounting department. Headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., Accountemps and has more than 270 offices in North America, Europe and Australia. Accountemps' Career Counselor column, a SmartPros staple for over four years, is refreshed twice a month.