Guest Author - Kristen Welcome

So your detailed cover letter and action-packed resume have done their job and you have been invited to attend an interview for your prospective employer. First, you should give yourself a well-deserved pat on the back for getting so far in the process. Before you slip into celebration-mode, however, there are a few things you should do to ensure that your interview goes as well as possible.

1. Research the employer.

Of course, you doubtless did a little homework when you decided to apply for a job with this employer in the first place. However, you’ll want a little more in-depth information before you appear for an interview. Do a little research on the internet to make sure you’re clear about what the company does, what it specializes in, what it’s best known for, and what little-known services it provides on an occasional basis. Also find out if the company has been in the news lately, or if they have recently undergone a merger or other important event. This way, when the interviewer asks what you have to offer their particular company, you’ll be ready with a detailed answer that shows you take the company seriously and that you really know your stuff.

2. Research the interviewer.

It is unnecessary for you to know personal information about the interviewer or interviewers who will be meeting you. In fact, if you walk into an interview knowing the name of an interviewer’s spouse or where the interviewer went to middle school, this will likely unsettle them and may decrease your chances of landing the job. You should, however, know professional details about the interviewer, his or her position and duties at the company, and what areas they specialize in. It is also a good idea to be aware of anything they have recently published in their industry, or other notable events. If you are conversant in the interviewer’s area of expertise, you are more likely to be able to address the kinds of questions this particular interviewer may ask.

3. Practice discussing your experiences.

It may have been awhile since the last time you had to describe your duties at previous places of employment. Spend a little time thinking about how you would describe your various work experiences in positive ways, including any particular successes you would want to mention, particular skills that you learned, and any awards or recognition you received for doing your job well.

Also give some consideration to how you would explain why you left each place of employment. Even if you despise your former employer, it’s important to phrase your answers in ways that will not make a hiring manager hesitate before taking a chance on you.

4. Practice answering tough questions.

Try going through your resume with a critical eye. If you were a hiring manager, what might seem unusual or suspicious to you that you would want to find out about? If you have one or more large gaps in your resume, consider how you will explain this in a positive way. For instance, if you were laid off and took some time to find a new job, or if you decided to take a break for work for six months and travel, a hiring manager may want to know about it, and it will be important to answer the question as confidently as possible. If you did a lot of job-hopping during part of your professional life, be prepared to explain why you left so many jobs in fast succession, and why you are committed to remaining with the prospective employer for a longer period.

5. Prepare your wardrobe.

If you are unsure what to wear, dark-colored suits and light shirts are generally accepted for most interviews. Even if you know that a place of business has a casual wardrobe, it’s a good idea to dress up for an interview to demonstrate that you take the position seriously. You’ll be most relaxed if you have your interview wardrobe ready at least a day in advance, so that you can make sure that it is clean, fits properly, and doesn’t have any stains or other problems requiring emergency replacements.

6. Prepare your portfolio.

You’ll be a step ahead of the competition if you bring with you anything a hiring manager may wish to see. You should include extra copies of your resume in case the interviewer has lost their copy, or in case other company personnel attend your interview and would like a copy. You can also include school transcripts if you are a recent graduate, letters of recommendation, your list of references, and any industry-specific documents that may be helpful, such as writing samples. Organize it into a notebook so that everything is easy to find. You may not need everything you take with you, but you will be more confident having it available, and you will appear organized and forward-thinking if the hiring manager happens to want one or more of the items you’ve brought along.

Being invited to an interview is an achievement unto itself, but to get the job you want it’s necessary to ace that interview as well. By putting some time into your interview preparation, you can appear organized and confident, and increases your chances of receiving the offer you’re hoping for.



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