Prepare for the Interview!

Congratulations! You got the interview – but now there is more work to be done before you can afford to celebrate. Getting your foot in the door is half the battle, and to win the reward you must be prepared to stand out above the competition. The average job seeker will tell you that if they can just get their foot in the door - they will perform well in the interview. (Ask the average employer - and they will tell you this is not true!).

Preparation will sometimes be the determining factor as to whether or not you receive the job offer. The prior planning will show and indicate to the potential employer whether you are serious about the employment opportunity.

What are you going to wear? If you have been out job hunting chances are you already have a nice suit selected in the event you received this call. Always consider the upcoming weather; how far you may have to walk and the shoes you will wear; and the time it will take you to get ready. Once you start the job search, it pays to be ready on very short notice.

Do you actually know where you are going, how long it will take to get there, and the path of least resistance in travel? By thinking this potential problem out ahead of time and preparing for unforeseen traffic jams, breakdowns, or any number of other delays you will be able to plan your route accordingly and arrive on time. Depending on where the interview takes place will help you remember to have any parking or travel fees on hand, and also help you gage the time you need to ensure you arrive to be at least 20 minutes before the appointment time. The hour you may have planned to use getting settled on location can quickly tick away in the event you have to park a block or two from the location, and then traverse security or other unexpected delays.

Have you taken the time to research the company? It pays to know the services and products a company provides, as well as a little bit about their history. Most every respectable company has a web site with an “About Us” page; a “Mission Statement” complete with goals or values; and a “Career or Employment” page which will outline the benefits to help you negotiate salary and compensation.

Do you know who is going to be on the interview panel, or how many copies of your résumé you may need?

Sell yourself. If you walk in the door with defeat written all over your persona you will probably leave the same way. By projecting a positive, confident, motivated and generally happy attitude you will be on your way to a successful encounter. Be nice to everyone. You will be watched by someone from the moment you arrive in the parking lot to the time you leave the interview and depart the area. Even the receptionist, secretary or other workers will have input as to your likeability and overall potential as a prospective co-worker.

Do you appear organized? You should have additional copies of your résumé, your references, a professional portfolio, writing utensil and backup, a white pad to take notes, and a nice place to store these materials (professional briefcase or leather portfolio). The goal is to be quick and efficient when asked for additional information. Employers are busy and tend to get to the point fairly quickly when conducting interviews. If you have to dig through your bag for a pen or you forgot to bring a note pad or anything else you may be asked for then you have already got a black mark. Prepare a list of questions to ask the employer and prepare your answers for typical interview questions that employers may ask (research these questions ahead of time). Think before you speak to portray sound judgment and analytical skills. Leave all of the other “bags” and “stuff” that you would typically carry around in the car or at home.

If you are not offered the job, ask when the decision will be made and if you will be notified, or whether you should touch base at a later date.

Did you thank the employer for the interview? The opportunity to follow-up is a blessing in disguise and few job seekers realize the importance of this task. By sending a thank you note you will have one more opportunity to be noticed and express your interest in the position, or even a future opportunity. You should be working on sending out a thank you letter the same day of the interview. If you don’t take any other notes during the interview; write down the names of the interviewer or other members on the panel in planning for the follow-up.

These are not all of the things you need to think about, but they will provide a baseline for preparation on your behalf!