In his book Success is a Choice, Rick Pitino writes about what Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Michael Jordan had in common. “The only common denominator these three share is that their presence raises the performance level of everyone else. That’s what greatness is,” Pitino said.

Johnson, Bird, and Jordan transferred their energy level to their teammates whenever they were in the game. That energy transferred when they made an incredible pass, dived for a fumble or hit a lopsided jump shot at a critical point in a game.

Some people think that you show energy when you yell, yell, or pat someone on the back. But these three athletes proved that energy level has nothing to do with backslapping or yelling. Energy level has to do with intensity and focus.

Just as these three basketball greats transferred their energy level to their teammates, you must transfer your energy level to the interviewer. The level of energy you bring to an interview will have a big effect on a potential job offer.

When meeting an interviewer, your ability to transfer energy will cause you to have:

More energy,

the same amount of energy, or

less energy

If you leave the hiring manager with more energy, you will leave the interviewer with a positive impression. If you leave the hiring manager with the same amount of energy or less energy, start sending out other resumes because you won’t get a job offer unless the hiring manager is desperate to fill the position.

Here are 11 ways you can bring a lot of energy to an interview:

1. Having an attitude that says, “I deserve to win.” Believe that you deserve the job offer. Do your homework on the company and the position. Determine how you will add value to the company.

2. Practice for the interview. Think about what questions you would ask if you were the hiring manager. Practice your answers with family or friends.

3. Talk a little louder than normal at first. Talking a little louder will generate more energy on your part.

4. Write in the notepad that you are going to use in the interview: ENERGY! Every time you see the word ENERGY, it will remind you to keep thinking about transferring your energy level to the hiring manager.

5. Stay in the present moment. Our inner critic likes to live in the past or in the present. The inner critic always reminds us of the “what ifs” if we start thinking about the future. And the inner critic likes to operate in the past by saying, “you shouldn’t have done that” “or you should have.” The more time you can spend in the present before the interview, the more energy you will have. We quickly drain our energy levels when we worry about the future or the past.

6. Use self-guided visualization. See yourself in the interview connecting with the hiring manager. Visualize both of you enjoying the process.

7. Shake hands firmly, look the interviewer in the eye and smile. These 3 actions allow the interviewer to immediately know your energy level. They won’t guarantee you the job, but not doing so will guarantee you a short interview.

8. Use positive self-talk. Use “I am” statements before the interview. Tell yourself: “I have energy, I am positive, I am confident. Repeat this mantra until you start to believe it.

9. Focus on what you can do to make the interview a great experience for you and the hiring manager. Be fully involved in the process. You want both parties to feel like they just experienced a great conversation.

10. Get plenty of sleep the night before the interview. Most doctors recommend 7-8 hours each night. Sleeping fewer hours consistently will cause fatigue.

11. Exercise. Take a brisk walk before the meeting. Breathing more deeply will help bring more oxygen to the lungs. That oxygen will then be transported to your extremities.

Think of Larry, Magic, and Michael the next time you walk in for an interview. Bring a level of energy to the interview that says, “I deserve the job offer.” When you do, you have a good chance of putting a “W” in the interview win column.