Blog Post: Interviews: Prepare, Prepare, Prepare

The purpose of your resume was to land the interview.  Now that you've been given the opportunity to have face-time with the employer.. make the most of it!  The ball is in your court and what happens next is essentially up to you.  Did I mention preparation is key?

Watch the video as I discuss this on FOX26 this week...

-DO YOUR RESEARCH.  Research the company you are interviewing with.  You want to be able to talk about the company with the interviewer.  Pay attention to the "About Company" section of thier website.  Company history, news, mission/values, & FAQ's can also be valuable sources of information you can use to have a conversation with the interviewer.  Also, research the position/job type you are shooting for.  The internet can provide of wealth of information about different industries and what kind of work certain job types entail.  Also, find out exactly where the interview is to take place and do a dry-run if time permits.  You cannot be late... period. 

-APPEARANCE.  Dress professionally.  If possible, wear a suit.  This is true even if the job doesn't require you to dress that way on a day-to-day basis.  Remember, this is your chance to make that all important first impression.  Keep it simple and conservative: dark color suit, simple patern tie, etc.  Lay off cologne/perfume.  Shave.  Common sense stuff.

-ATTITUDE.  Quite a few people fall short on this one, and it's the simplest.  From the moment you walk in the door, have a positive, pleasant attitude.  Even if this is your tenth interview this month, act like this is the ONE; don't let any frustrations you may have manifest in your attitude.  You can answer every question perfectly, but if your attitude doesn't match, you may as well hang it up.  Your attitude speaks volumes about you.

-ASK QUESTIONS.  The interview will usually end with, "Now, what are your questions for me?".  The absolute worst thing you could say is, "I don't have any" or "You've answered them all".  Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer in advance and have them written down.  Don't ask questions that could've been answered had you done your research. 

Good Luck!