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Many years ago, when I was a young job-searching greenhorn, I ventured to New York City to take a bite out of the big apple of opportunity.

When it came to finding a job in a crowded city of millions, I quickly learned that it's much easier on one's sanity to sign up with one of the many employment agencies which helps job seekers looking for work.

I scoured the newspaper and found a large ad for one such well-known employment agency. True to their word, they promptly sent me off on several interviews * none of which I felt particularly comfortable at. Needless to say, I didn*t get any job offers.

While nursing a cold, I decided I needed a change. So, I contacted a much smaller agency and decided to see if my luck would be different.

These people rocked! They were down-to-earth friendly and genuinely concerned about helping me find a job. Before they sent me out on any interviews, they put me through a mock interview session and evaluated my performance (something the larger fancy-pants agency didn*t do). Afterwards, an advisor sat me down and we chatted about the results of my mock interview.

I am forever grateful for the feedback I got that day, because the interview preparation tips they gave me have served me well over countless interviews these many years. I*ve condensed their pointers into five simple rules that anyone can follow for better success at a job interview.

1) Eye Contact * Look directly at your interviewer. Don*t cast your eyes down.

2) Sit up Straight * Don*t slouch in your chair * it makes you look lazy and uninterested. Good posture makes you look like a confident person.

3) Don*t Fidget * Keep your hands in your lap when you*re not making a point in the conversation. Fidgeting looks unprofessional.

4) Speak Up * Don*t mumble your words. Speak directly at your interviewer with a clear, strong voice.

5) Smile and Show Some Personality * It's ok to be a little nervous, but remember to stay loose and be yourself. Personality counts for a lot.

Of course, there's a lot more to think about when preparing for an interview. But even if you only remember these five simple interviewing rules, you'll be able to make a good impression on the one person standing between you and a job * your interviewer.