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:
 
Research 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 be able to research enough about the company to be able to ask informed questions.
 
Research 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?

Research 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.
 

• 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.
• 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.