The job interview is one of the scariest parts of job searching. For first-time jobseekers or those looking for work after leaving a long-term job, getting through the one-on-one encounter can be like pulling teeth. It doesn’t have to be that way, claims best-selling motivational author Harvey Mackay, who gained fame in the 1980s with the blockbuster “Swim with the Sharks Without Being Eaten Alive,” (Harper, 2005).

The 10 most powerful words in the English language, Mackay says, are: If it is to be, it is up to me. Expect to be nervous in a job interview, he says, but don’t let fear throw you. His advice to nervous Nellies: Visualize, breathe and relax. And never, under any circumstances, second-guess yourself when speaking with a potential employer.

“Pep yourself up,” he says. “Positive thoughts. You can do it and you’re confident. That will certainly diminish nervousness.”

Mackay, who has a new book, “Use Your Head To Get Your Foot In The Door,” (Portfolio, 2010) is a big believer in the power of visualization based on his experience in competitive sports. If you visualize success, you will be successful, he says.

Visualization “reduces tension and prepares you not to fold under pressure,” Mackay says.

Second-guessing during an interview can be costly, he says. Let’s say a jobseeker tells a story that he finds amusing or believes is relevant to the interviewer, but is met with unexpected silence or, worse yet, dismay. The most important thing to do is not to panic, Mackay says.

“Be prepared you [might not] get the reaction you want,” he says. “You can’t second-guess the interviewer.”

Practice beforehand by talking to yourself, Mackay says.

Being interviewed is no different from speaking in public. Regardless of audience size, the challenge is to sell an idea, he says. Practice and visualization can help a jobseeker close the deal – and get a job.