Ben,

Good post. The coaching I always give my clients in terms of coming from a position of strength is to always bear in mind that you have something they want -- not the other way around. Don't be interviewed, rather, do the interviewing.

Blessings,
Michael

As an employer who's interviewed and hired a great many people over the years, I'd add a couple of insights.

1. We hire people we like, even if we're not supposed to admit it. We've got to work with these people who are walking through our doors, and that means share kitchens, canteens, bathrooms, birthdays and holidays. So, as an interviewee, recognize that while we may be discussing your professional skills, you're being assessed on a larger picture and you'd be well placed to reveal enough of yourself to make the assessment easy. i.e. open up.

2. We're looking for people who will make our lives easy. Literally, to take our work from us so that we can go and concentrate on more interesting things. We don't expect you to be able to do the things you're being interviewed for: we just want to be reassured that you'll throw yourself at the problem until you get it right.

3. It's fine if you're nervous. It's a sign of respect (and your interviewer probably is too).

4. When employers see 8 people interviewing for a job, the good ones are easy to spot. On our end, we're selling the organization to the good ones because we know he/she's likely to be talking to our competitor down the road. But when you find yourself being lured, be careful not to act too coy. We love finding the good people, but (we know from experience) your reaction to charm says a great deal about what you'll be like to work with...and, remember, we're also seducing the other good person from that original pool.