Top 7 Tips in Preparing For a Job Interview

There are 7 critical items for job interview success.  Master each and you have a better chance of getting that second interview or even a job.

1)  Research Research Research - The company - This means find out about the company.  How long have they been in business?  What is the primary function of the division you are interviewing for? Are they a leader in the industry? Have they won any awards? Any recent press? Find a good question to ask in the interview.

2) Research Research Research - The Interviewer - Find out who you will be interviewing with.  What is their position? If you find a name, research them to see if there is something special about them.  Are they an industry leader? Have they published something of note? etc.

3) Dress for Success - This means dress appropriately but maybe a touch better than you would expect.  For instance if you are a guy going to interview for a warehouse position, probably most people are in casual attire, many are in jeans.  Wear a nice pair of slacks and a collared shirt.  Dress just a notch better than everyone else.

4) Q&A preparation and practice-  Research interview questions and know your answers.  If you have something negative to explain, practice your answer.  Have stories prepared for the typical questions like, 'Tell me about yourself.'

5) Arrive Early - Find out the location and drive there the day before so you know how to find it.  Whatever you do, arrive early and prepared.

6) Market & Sell yourself - When you get in the interview, do not be humble.  Go ahead and use facts, figures, stories on how you made money, saved money or improved a process in you last job.  Ask questions. Make it an interactive process.  Remember you are interviewing them as much as they are interviewing you.

7) Give Thanks - The last thing you do on your interview is ask for a business card so you can write a thank you note.  This note is intended for one thing, to let the interviewer know you are interested in the job.  You do this by thanking them for their time and letting them know you were paying enough attention to note 2-3 things from the interview that you thought you could get to work on right away.  A thank you note will not get you the job if they have decided on a candidate but it will break a tie.  Remember also, just because they picked a candidate does not mean that candidate will accept the offer.  Write the note. 

Master these 7 steps and you will be well on  your way to a successful interview.  You will be more confident and improve your odds significantly!