Interviewing: Be Prepared

The interview is by far the most important part of the job search process, yet too many times it’s approached in a very haphazard way. Lack of preparation and planning can sink almost any job seeker despite excellent credentials. A person should spend a minimum of two hours in preparation for each interview they have. This includes:

Research Each Company
Knowing little about the company you are interviewing with shows your lack of interest in their organization and believe me, it will be evident when they begin asking you questions. You can find out plenty of information on the internet using search engines like Google.

Prepare for Questions.
I’m reminded of a candidate who, when asked why she wanted to work for a certain company, responded “That’s a good question, I really haven’t given that much thought.” Yikes!

There are standard open ended questions that are asked at almost every interview. For instance, “Tell me a little about yourself”. Now you can just go in there and “shoot from the hip” as they say, but it will be evident to the interviewer that you don’t mind wasting his time. You should have a two minute response that spends 15 seconds on personal background, 1.5 minutes on work experience and another 15 seconds on what you can do for this company. Page 83 of the 48 days workbook has several other questions an interviewer might ask.

Know Your Job Goals.
Don’t go to the interview without being clear about the job you are seeking. If you are a generalist, it becomes obvious you are just looking for a job rather than an opportunity to use your skills and abilities to benefit the company.

Know What To Wear
Personal appearance goes a long way in forming impressions about you right from the start. If you doubt this at all, I encourage you to read Your Executive Image: How to Look Your Best & Project Success for Men and Women by Victoria A Seitz. If you ever have questions, always play it safe by going conservative or consult an image specialist. If you don’t have a suit or sports coat, I suggest investing in one along with a white dress shirt and tie. Also, make sure your hair is neatly groomed and your shoes are shined.

Remember, you are a sales professional selling a product to a company. That product just happens to be YOU, so believe me when I say that investing your time into this process will pay huge dividends when it comes to separating yourself from the rest of the pack.

Jonathan Taylor is the author of The Coach's Career Tips and Resources. He helps his clients Love Their Work! You can subscribe at www.careercalling.com/subscribe.htm.