Prepare like a Winner!
The prospective employer will make his/her hiring decision based on these factors:
1. Attitude & Business Poise
2. Image / Presentation & Communication Skills
3. Experience / Skill Set
4. Education / Certifications
5. Transferable Industry / Technical Background
Below is a list of things you can do in advance to prepare and ensure that your interview is as
successful as it can be. Keep in mind that preparing for a telephone interview is just as important
as preparing for an in-person interview. These points should be taken seriously for both types of
interviews:
• Do your homework - on the company. Find out as much about the company as you
can - its' history, its' current situation, and its' future. Find out about their clients and their
competitors. Be prepared to ask good questions about the company and its' direction.
Do enough research to speak authoritatively during the interview. With today's access to
information, you should definitely be able to research enough about the company to be
able to ask informed questions.
• Do your homework - on the position. Have a thorough understanding of the position,
Its' key duties, and its’ primary responsibilities. Be prepared to ask good questions.
What are the main requirements for the position? Who has been successful and why?
Who has failed and why? Who does the position report to? Who does the position
supervise? What needs to be done in the first 6 months? In the first year?
• Do your homework - on yourself. Review your career history thoroughly. Review
dates, positions, duties, responsibilities, and accomplishments. Know your strengths and
weaknesses. Be prepared to cite specific examples of accomplishments and how your
specific experience can help the company solve some of its problems. Be prepared to
cite specific examples of how you handled a stressful situation in which you had to think
quickly to put out some fires. Reflect on your successes so you can adequately impart
your strengths when given the chance.
Interview like a Winner!
Interviews can be tough, even for a seasoned veteran. The interview is, however, your best
opportunity to gain insight into the position and company, and to determine how your experience
and talents can contribute to the company's growth and profitability. Following are some
interviewing tips to help you stand out from your peers.
• You must arrive at least 15 minutes early to your interview. Always give yourself more
than enough time on the road, just in case you come across an accident or traffic jam.
• Before your interview, role play some responses with a friend or spouse. You can also
role play with your recruiter. Practice makes perfect, and it will give you more confidence
because you will feel much more prepared.
• Express confidence without arrogance. Show how you work well with others as equals
while exhibiting the confidence and assertiveness of a self-starter.
• Show how you used your skills by providing measurable statistics and explain the thought
process behind your actions. This is your opportunity to stand out from the others.
• Express enthusiasm and energy. Let your desire for the job shine through.
• Interject your research into the interview. This allows the interviewer to know that you
conduct your homework prior to an important meeting.
• Your interviewer might pose behavioral type questions to get an idea of how you might
act in the office. In stress tests, the interviewer fires a barrage of questions or problems
at the candidate in stressful surroundings. These tests are more about how you respond
than what you do or say. Emphasize the process not the result.
• Make sure you also have a list of intelligent questions to ask regarding the company,
position, management, clients, and policies.
• Avoid asking questions regarding salary, commissions, bonuses, and vacation time. Let
your recruiter handle these sensitive negotiations.
• Never speak negatively about a former employer.
• Be thorough when answering questions and give specific examples. This can't be
stressed enough. General answers will get you nowhere because they don't allow the
Interviewer to gauge your actual experience level.
• Don't just reiterate what is in your resume. If you want to stand out from your peers, the
best way to make an impression is to discuss what isn't on your resume. An interviewer
wants to hear the details behind an accomplishment. How did you turn the company
around? Did you promote growth within the organization and what steps were taken for
you to reach that achievement? The story behind the resume is always much more
interesting and allows a hiring manager to get a better feel for your experience and
management style.
• Remember the skill of listening is just as important as the ability to answer questions.
Don't answer too quickly. Give yourself enough time to think through the problem posed
before offering a solution, but don't delay your answer too much either. Also, don't
ramble on and on. This creates an impression of insecurity and a know-it-all attitude.
• Lastly, tell the employer why you are interested in the opportunity/company and also why
you are the most qualified person for the position. List at least 3 answers for each so you
can have them ready during the interview.
• Be proactive. "Sell your attitude" during the interview. Ask for the position. You can do
this by asking for the next interview. If you want the job, say something like this ... "I am
very interested in working for your company. I'm confident I can do an excellent job for
you. What is the next step in the hiring process?"
Follow the steps above when preparing for and during the interview, and you will be much closer
to securing the job of your dreams. We wish you the best!
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