How to Prepare for an InterviewJanuary 16th, 2007
Think of your resume as an advertisement. It is what will bring the customer in the store. Once they have arrived, it is time to sell them the goods. You have scored an interview, and now it is time to prepare.
Here are some suggestions for preparing for an upcoming interview.
Interview Preparation Guide.
A day or two before an interview you should take the time to really think about how you want the interview to go, what impression you want to leave on the employer and what unique pitch you will use to stand out from other applicants. Equally important, think about what items on your resume you do not want to spend a lot of time on and come up with ways to transition from that particular experience to others that you would like to highlight more.
Next, throughly research the employer, and when possible, the position. Be sure to ask for at least a title, if not a detailed description of exactly what position they are interviewing you for. Then list the 3 or 4 strong qualifications that you bring to the table. This way, you know going in what they are looking for and why you are a good fit.
There is a time and a place for name dropping, and interviewing is one of them. Review any names or details that could be helpful to reference during your discussion. If you are the networking type, go back through your PDA and find the exact date of the dinner party where you met the person who passed along your resume. If you used a job search engine, recall what day you first saw the advertisement and perhaps the detail that helped the posting stand out. If the organization reached out to you, recall the Human Resources contact who first gave you the call or e-mail. It never hurts to compliment their friendly conduct, and helps create a positive, thoughtful persona.
From here the old adage rings true: “Practice makes perfect.” Make a list of questions that you think the employer might ask. Think through how you would want to answer them. Your goal is to leave the ideal impression, highlighting your best selling points and avoiding weaker aspects of your experience. Typing this out (and saving it) can help you not just prepare for this interview, but all future interviews as well (including your year end review! ;))
Once you have come up with some sample questions, ask a trusted friend to help you role play through a few of them randomly. The employer ultimately controls the flow of an interview and role playing can help prepare you to bounce between subjects and think quickly. Your friend may also be able to point out any nervous quirks you might have or important details that you are leaving out.
The night before the interview, after you have crafted your pitch and researched the employer, make sure to print out directions to the office. Pick out your clothes, relax with a book and get to bed early. In the morning, eat a non-offensive breakfast to hold you over and make sure to drink your coffee. It is show time 
Have any other suggestions to share? Leave a comment and let everyone know!
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There is some good advice in this article, but I would like to make an additional suggestion regarding the night before the interview. First, have your cloths professionally dry cleaned an pressed with a few extra shirts ready to go if you are going to several interviews. If you only have one suit as many college graduates do, have a couple of different shirts/blouses/ties to mix it up if brought in for a second interview. Again, make sure your shirts are pressed and your suit is pressed after each use. It is unlikely an interviewer will notice if you wear the same basic suit with a different shirt and tie combo if brought in for a second interview.
Regarding directions, make sure you print directions from two different sources since there are times when one internet map source will provide a different route than another. Make sure you know if the street is 100 N. Main, or 100 S. Main, I have had applicants actually call me from 100 S. Main wondering where our building was when we are at 100 N. Main St. Clearly, they didn’t do their homework. If time permits, do a drive by to find the building, look and see if there are parking issues that need to be handled. That way you won’t be taken by surprise if there is a $10.00 parking fee. (this happened to me when I was interviewing for a job). Have an alternate route in mind should there be some sort of traffic delay.
Plan on arriving 30 minutes early. Use 15 minutes to relax in the parking lot, collect your thoughts and get your game on. Use the other 15 minutes in the lobby to review any material the company gives you and to fill out an application if asked. Hint: Have an application filled out with all your information so that you can copy that information down on that companies application. This way all your dates, address, phone numbers are correct. Plus it will allow you to complete the app in just a few minutes.
If the impossible happens and you are going to be late have the interviewer’s phone number. Call as soon as it becomes clear you are going to be late with as much time in advance as possible. IE: Don’t wait until 8:25 to call that you are going to be late for an 8:30 appointment.
Good luck, relax and be yourself during the interview.
January 16th, 2007 at 9:04 pm
thanks ,can i recieve more of this guide
January 17th, 2007 at 8:36 am
Here are a few more suggestions; if possible print out any vital information you may have found in their website. Highlite this information that it’s clearly seen (also from a distance of 2 meters or a few feet away), it not only appears that you’ve done your homework but is easier for you to refer to it as a question if time permits.
When you have your question sheet, begin with questions refering to the position, the company, employees, the department. Don’t start with “what kind of benefits do you offer…” This comes on like your only interested in what they can do for you and not vice-versa.
It you have responded to an advertisement in the newspaper, cut it out and take it along with you. Have highlighted the skills in which their seeking and which you have your strenghts. As a closing point refer to this by saying something similar to; “according to your ad, your looking for …. and exactly for this reason I applied for this position because I have …. years experience and or have spearheaded the marketing team.
Lastly be relaxed and remember to be aware of negative body gestures such as crossing your arms which signals, closed (not open), or tapping a pen or fumbling with something. It’s your hour or so to shine… so shine you crazy diamond!
January 17th, 2007 at 10:35 am
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January 17th, 2007 at 2:57 pm
[…] Here is a guide on How to prepare for an Interview […]
March 2nd, 2007 at 6:24 pm
Most importantly the positive frame of mind of just not attempting it but making sure that you get the offer.Winning Sprit!!!
March 27th, 2007 at 5:49 am
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April 1st, 2007 at 8:02 pm
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August 10th, 2007 at 4:46 pm
Also when you’re going to an interview make sure you look the interviewer in the eyes. Don’t play with your fingers or fidget, or they will see your nervousness. Just be confident you should do fine. Also be very prepared, but don’t make a jiant speech written on a piece of paper. Just let the interview know what they need to know, and a little extra if it will help you get the job.
September 18th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Remember: Coffee makes you jittery. If you think this may affect your performace, water or Orange Juice works too.
September 26th, 2007 at 9:28 am