Drop thoughts of a tough economy and people fighting for jobs; that's negative thinking. While it might be true, there are reasons people fail at job interviews. They don't research job openings or know what they want. They don't network or present a professional image to future employers. Additionally, they make various other errors which are avoidable. Take a step-by-step approach, avoiding pitfalls, and you can nail your dream job. 

Step one: Create an action plan

Before you search the job market, create a strategy. You need an action plan. Having one will ensure you don't skip important steps that will help you further down the line. For instance, knowing what you want will help you narrow your job search. At the same time, your skills are likely to support what you desire. When you apply for jobs suiting your expertise, you're liable to succeed.

Sculpt your CV

Once you have defined details about the type of job you desire, tailor your curriculum vitae. List skills the ideal candidate for the job will have. They may be great at teamwork, negotiating, or public speaking. Do your skills match? If not, you need to gain experience and qualifications before chasing your dream job.

If they correspond, ensure your ability to do the job well is recognizable in your CV. Provide more relevant information than unrelated data. After all, if you want to write reports, the time you spent babysitting isn't significant. It shows there wasn't a gap in your employment history, but, apart from that, it isn't noteworthy.

Leave room for improvement

When your resume is ready, send it to between two and five places. Ignore advice about applying for as many jobs as possible. Every step along the way to getting a job is an opportunity to learn and address issues. If your resume isn't up to scratch, you'll know because you won't get an interview. You can fine-tune it before sending it out again.

Network

Networking should be an integral part of landing your dream career. You may not think you know anyone helpful, but others might be friends with people who can assist you. Instead of reducing your job search to home and the job center, socialize. Tell everyone you want a job, including your parent's friends and friends of friends you meet in passing. Also, provide your phone number and make it clear you welcome introductions to contacts.

Step two: How to prepare for an interview

You know you need to be well-groomed and presentable. Likewise, you understand about leaving plenty of time to get to an interview. However, you might not know you need to practice answering difficult questions and keeping your cool. You can also research the company. Look at its performance, and think about how you could improve it with your skills and ideas.

Show initiative

How you answer questions in an interview can set you apart from rival candidates or put you in the same clump. Lots of people might apply for a post, but only a few will catch an employer's interest. One of the main mistakes job-seekers make is giving robotic answers without initiative. They don't come across as competent because their answers aren't intelligent.

For instance, if you're asked about what you want to earn, you don't need to answer immediately. Now's a very good time to pull out any paperwork you've prepared outlining how you can improve the performance of the company. Tell the interviewer you would like to put forward your ideas before getting to money issues.

When you've wowed your potential boss with business ideas, you can discuss earnings. Don't base your answer on guesswork, though. Research the going rate you can expect for the job online first. Salary.com, Payscale.com, and Glassdoor.com can provide the information you need.

If you're offered a wage below what you expect, don't be afraid to negotiate. Use the information you've gained about average earnings for the job to show you're astute. Be polite, but mention you would like to close the gap between what's presented and the usual wage for similar work.

Practice until you're comfortable

Other awkward questions might arise, so practice giving intelligent answers. Ask a friend to interview you. Get them to push you out of your comfort zone with issues that make you uncomfortable. You'll get over your fears and get used to responding well. Make your answers fit what you imagine an employer will want to hear.

Step three: Power boosts

Interviews don't always reflect people's best qualities because they are about performance. What you look like and do and say is as important, if not more important than your background. If you are anxious, or unaware of how you influence others, you might fail interviews. When you know how to increase confidence and set your mind for success, though, you can overcome jitters and project a terrific image.

Visualization

Top athletes visualize new moves before carrying them out. Do you know why? Practicing in your head trains your body and brain to succeed. By visualizing a successful interview, you'll learn to act in favorable ways. See yourself greeting an interviewer with a smile and firm handshake. Notice you are well-dressed and move with confidence.

Hear yourself answering questions with ease. Allow your self-esteem to rise as you explain how you can add value to the company. Recognize a sense of ease and comfort during the interview, and enjoy the process. As a result, you'll be familiar with interviews by the time you have them in reality.

Power poses

Studies show power poses increase confidence. Think of how Superman stands with his hands on his hips. Or, punch the air like you're winning a race while saying an emphatic "yes!"

Before an interview, stand in the bathroom, or waiting room if you're alone, and carry out power poses. It takes about two minutes before feel-good chemicals are produced, so give it time.

Body Language

People let themselves down with poor body language when trying to impress. They overcompensate for nerves by squeezing the interviewers hand too hard during handshakes. They put on forced smiles, and speak too fast. At other times, they are lost for words, or fiddle, and clock-watch.

Use the confident body language you've seen yourself carrying out during visualization. Smile, stand and sit straight with your head held high. Lean toward your interviewer and meet his or her gaze.

You can nail your dream job. Ensure you stand out from other candidates by applying for jobs where you will shine. Know what you want, and sculpt your CV to match job requirements. Refine your job search and polish your job hunting techniques as you find ideal posts. Practice being interviewed and answering difficult questions with ease. Also, be ready to wow employers with ideas to help their businesses, and know what you are worth. Additionally, boost your confidence with power poses, visualization, and influential body language. Those magic words, "you're hired," will soon ring in your ears.