A college teaching interview, which generally entails a barrage of questions and a teaching demonstration, can be a scary prospect, especially if you haven't done it before. However, a few simple steps can help you prepare for an interview and perform well when the pressure is on.

Review your curriculum vita (academic resume). Some interviewees have a tendency to forget their own accomplishments during an interview. By reviewing your CV you will have your own history in mind and can talk openly about your experience and land a college teaching job.

Reflect on your faults and accomplishments because almost every interviewer asks about them. By thinking ahead on these two questions, you can come up with two fitting examples that show your motivation to help students succeed and your willingness to critique yourself.

Create a teaching demonstration if it's required. Carefully consider the hypothetical classroom situation your interviewer describes, and tailor your lesson plan to the time limit given. If you don't have a limit, plan about 10 minutes of instruction, and use methods you would use in a regular classroom. For example, consider a few minutes of lecture and then refer to a handout.

Relax and act natural. Try to remain calm and collected enough to talk jovially with your interviewer or panel of interviewers because they are your potential colleagues and people you should get to know better.

Prepare questions of your own because having an arsenal of your own probing questions shows interest in the job. Consider asking about the needs of the department, the rapport among the faculty and the demographics of the student body.

Express your thanks to your interviewer or panel because not everyone who applies for a position gets a campus interview. Sincerity and gratitude go a long way in landing a college teaching position.