Before an Interview there are preparations that everyone should do before meeting with their future employer.
Research the Company, Hiring Manager, and Job Opportunity
To achieve success in a job interview you must have a solid foundation of knowledge. You should have a good understanding of the employer, the job requirements, and the person (or people) interviewing you. You’ll want to showcase your knowledge throughout the interview. The best resource of information is the company’s Website. If the information is insufficient, the next best solution is to read outside reviews and profiles of company. Two sources for gathering information on public companies are BusinessWeek Online, Company Research and Hoovers Online.
Review Common Interview Questions and Prepare Responses. It is always a good idea to preparing responses to expected interview questions. First, ask your recruiter what type of interview to expect. Your goal is to respond to questions asked with a detailed and concise response. Focus on specific examples and accomplishments. An easy way to remember your responses is to recall it in story form. This will help you tell it in the interview. It is best not to memorize your responses. You want to sound natural, comfortable, and genuine, while develop conversation points. Your nonverbal responses and demeanor are equally as important. Eye contact, voice, posture, hand gestures, facial expressions, nervous habits, use of words (such as “um,” “uh”), and handshake all play a huge roll in the impact your responses will make. Some examples of questions you could be asked are:
• Do you have any plans for further education?
• Why do you want to work in the ————- industry
• What do you know about our company?
• Why are you interested in our company?
• What do you think it takes to be successful in this career?
Arrive on Time for the Interview
Always arrive about 10 to 15 minutes before your scheduled interview. Their may be additional paperwork to complete. This also will allow you some time to get settled and take in the environment. The day before, get a map from an Internet map site, such as Mapquest, Google Maps, or Yahoo Maps. These maps are not always reliable, so do a dry run. This ensures you will have the location, and timing correct, and allows you to get a good sense of the interview site. Be sure you have your cell phone in the event that something unexpected happens (bad accident, sudden death in the family). Call the employer (or your recruiter) to inform them and request to reschedule.
Dress for Success
Attention to details is crucial when dressing for an interview. Here are some good tips to follow for both men and women.
Make sure to have:
• clean and polished conservative dress shoes (woman preferably a 2” heel)
• neat and well-groomed hairstyle
• clean and trimmed fingernails
• very minimal (if any at all) cologne or perfume
• no visible body piercings or tattoos, aside from conservative earrings for woman
• teeth brushed and fresh breath (if you’re a smoker, don’t smoke on the way there.)
• no gum, candy, or other objects in your mouth. Leave the coffee in the car.
• minimal jewelry, but wear a watch
These are just some of the key points you should be aware of when looking to obtain your dream job. Keep checking in for more great tips to come.
These are just some of the key points you should be aware of when looking to obtain your dream job. Keep checking in for more great tips to come.
Julie Joseph - Recruiter