In many cases, unfair or not, the quality of your job interview makes all the difference between landing on your feet and landing on the street.

Here’s how to have a safe landing:

Be meticulous. Dress appropriately for your prospective job. Get to the interview a couple of minutes early. Bring your resume, even if you’ve already sent one in. Take a breath mint. Don't give the employer an excuse to dismiss you before the interview has even begun.

Know the company. Check out its Web site, learn about its earnings and stock price, have some insight about its products or customers. Whenever possible, talk with an employee before your official interview. You want to know the corporate culture before you walk in the door.

Get your stories straight. Have brief anecdotes that show how you have behaved, such as handling problems with co-workers, showing initiative and helping customers.

Practice with a tape recorder to see how your answers sound, but don’t overdo it. You want to sound natural, not rehearsed, but have a smooth delivery.

Don’t try to dominate the conversation, but offer the interviewer more than five-word answers.

Show interest. Ask intelligent questions, based on your homework and the points raised during the interview. If the job sounds good, ask for it. Many employers will make an offer if you put them on the spot.