Nobody wants their interview responses to sound like they’re reading from a script they memorized, but even more daunting is the possibility of tripping up on interview questions for a job you know you’re perfect for. In order to have a successful interviewing experience, the best strategy is to review the job, think about why you are the best fit, and how you can help deliver results. This will help you gain the confidence you need to go into the interview with genuine authenticity. To do this, consider the following tips:

Consider your talking points and how to express them articulately

In order to feel comfortable talking about yourself, think of the common qualities interviewers typically aim to assess in candidates, such as their strengths, weaknesses, motivations, work style, experience, and other job-specific abilities the role may call for. Though it can be helpful to prepare some bullets for common interview questions as a starting point, knowing yourself inside and out can help you answer questions that you may not be prepared for.

Practice alone

There are numerous ways to prepare for an interview, but you may want to start by using more casual individual methods of practicing, especially if you dislike mock interviewing. For instance, experts suggest interviewees record their practice responses as a way of analyzing their performance. Using this method, you can pick up on any patterns you’d like to change, or body language you may want to work on. For interviewees who have no means of recording themselves, the next best suggestion is to practice in front of a mirror.

Rehearse with a friend

Mock interviewing isn’t for everyone, but that might be because the process replicates real life situations, which could rattle anyone’s nerves, especially given that they know the person “interviewing” them. However, there are benefits to asking an industry insider or honest friend to help you. You can evaluate your readiness through the quality of your answer and how quick you are to respond to the “interviewer’s” questions, as well as get helpful notes and constructive criticism on what to work on.

Work on your communication style

There are ways to practice your speech by exposing yourself to situations in which you have to introduce yourself to others and hold a conversation. One way of doing this might be to attend networking events or professional associations to meet people you don’t know. After your initial introduction, incorporate your industry, interests, and competencies, directly or through telling a story to help you develop a good habit of learning how to illustrate and highlight your achievements or experience.

In order to respond intelligently and naturally to your interviewer, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with you, as odd as that may sound. Knowing your own capabilities and strengths, among other topics, will give you the natural confidence to be able to speak about yourself articulately when meeting with a hiring manager.