I'm terrified of going on interviews. You'd think I would love the opportunity to talk about myself, (friends and family would say that I rarely shut up). But no, I would much rather show my skills, not give the history of them in a cramped room in under thirty minutes.

I had been filling out job applications around the holiday season, hoping something would bite after the hype had settled. The satisfaction when the application submitted successfully was enough for me. And I was okay up until I received the "invitation for an interview" email. I had felt safe all along, hiding behind my computer screen, and it wasn't until I saw the words interview that I completely freaked out.

I was fine when it was just the phone interview; those are gold!

It was the first time in years that I was going on a formal interview, and it started to sink-in.

I'm going to have to sell myself.

Too many worries clouded my head, and now as I look back, I remember the biggest hurdle I had while sitting in that room: what to do with my hands.

Picture it, you are sitting at the large wooden desk, because it's always an over-sized desk, and you pull out your resume.

Now what?

Do you do the prayer hands, folded on the desk?

Maybe the armchair fold, when your elbows lean on the armrest?

Do you place them oh-so-gently on your lap?

Or do you mirror your interviewer's hands, copying their every move: from below your chin, casually slipping to the back of your neck, then back to your face?

The pressure was too much to handle, I think I did a mix of all four like we were playing a game of Simon Says.

The actual interview is a lot to handle when you aren't prepared. What do I mean by prepared? You know, tweaking the resume, searching for the perfect suit, and remembering to keep eye-contact the entire time of the meeting.

I can barely keep eye contact on a conversation I have regularly! How was I going to get through a whole hour of reminding myself to hold my stare, and try not to stutter?

Needless to say, I panicked.

After my panic-attack, I thought about everything I had to get done before the big day.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Get your references ready

Make those calls to the people who will support your quest for employment. Make sure they are ready for your potential employer's call. And have a few on the back-burner, it doesn't hurt.

2. Review your resume

Check for any gaps in employment, and be prepared to explain any of those gaps.

Think about how to incorporate each position on your resume to the position you are applying for. Make sure to take note of any key points you want to address.

3. Look up the company

It can't hurt to have some knowledge of the place you're applying to; you don't have to know their stock price or anything too particular, but you can check out their relationship within the media, news and any other outlet like that.

Plus, if you have any added knowledge of their brand, it's like getting two packs of Skittles when you only paid for one. Who doesn't like that?

4. Make your necessary travel plans ahead of time

Is your interview across a river or through unreliable traffic patterns? Then you have to plan ahead! Take a day to simplify your trip; don't wait for interview day!

5. Practice until it hurts!

If you are like me, it's been a long time since you sat before the panel of judges, poking through your resume like a bowl of leftovers. Grab a friend and PRACTICE! Consider applying for other jobs to practice with their interview: when the job isn't typically on your goal board, you tend to loosen up. I had three phone interviews while waiting for the actual one I wanted, and it helped.

You're more ready than a few minutes ago, so exhale.

Now you have to wait for the call.