| Several Days - One Week Before the Interview | | | | rush hour! |
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| 1. Spend some time to research the | | | | 3. Lay out your entire interview outfit. |
| organization and the position at hand. To | | | | Check it for any spot, wrinkles, or snags. |
| find company-specific information, visit your | | | | |
| local library, run a search on the internet, | | | | 4. Print off a few extra copies of your |
| or talk to current or former employees about | | | | resume and cover letter on nice paper. Even |
| their experiences and impressions of the | | | | if the interviewer has a copy of their own, |
| company. Study up on the company's products | | | | it's always a good idea to have a backup |
| and services, industry, target market, annual | | | | copy. This is also helpful if you end up |
| sales, geographic location(s), structure, | | | | interviewing with multiple individuals, since |
| history, officers, and any other key | | | | the head interviewer may be the only person |
| information. Are there any new trends in the | | | | with a copy of your resume. |
| industry? | | | | |
| | | | Get a good night's sleep! |
| 2. Identify the organization's major | | | | |
| competitors and do some basic research on how | | | | 1. Your brain needs fuel to run at peak |
| they differ (either positively or negatively) | | | | performance and if there is ever a day you |
| from the company at which you are | | | | needed 110% from your brain, it's today. So |
| interviewing. | | | | don't skimp on meals. Be cautious about |
| | | | eating large amounts of carbohydrates right |
| 3. Prepare specific examples of how your | | | | before your interview though, since carbs are |
| skills and experience make you a strong fit | | | | know to cause sluggishness and may lead to a |
| for the organization's needs. Practice | | | | "post-lunch" naptime. |
| answering directed questions about your | | | | |
| experience, education, and skills and how | | | | 2. Get dressed early so you do not feel |
| they relate to the position at hand. Being | | | | pressured to dash out the door. Pay attention |
| prepared to draw colorations between your | | | | to the details (brush off any lint, comb your |
| experience and the needs of the organization | | | | hair, brush your teeth, use deodorant, etc.) |
| is one of the most important interviewing | | | | and remember that a first impression can |
| skills you will need. | | | | reveal a lot about you and your character. |
| | | | |
| 4. Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Be | | | | 3. Don't forget to take copies of your |
| prepared to talk about your weaknesses, but | | | | resume, your cover letter, and your portfolio |
| find a way to frame them positively. For | | | | if you have one. |
| example, "My biggest weakness is that I am a | | | | |
| perfectionist. It may take me a little extra | | | | 4. Leave yourself plenty of time to get to |
| time to get a project done to my | | | | your interview. If you arrive more than 15 |
| satisfaction, but you can be guaranteed that | | | | minutes early, it's best to wait in the car |
| the work will pass even the most stringent | | | | or outside the building. Arriving too early |
| review, be 100% accurate, and that no detail | | | | gives off the impression that you have a lot |
| will be overlooked." | | | | riding on the interview (and have nothing |
| | | | better to do with your time), and also |
| 5. Prepare several intelligent questions | | | | pressures the interviewer(s) into feeling |
| about the company and position that will | | | | that they have to adjust their schedule to |
| demonstrate your knowledge of the company and | | | | accommodate you. |
| your sincere interest in the position. | | | | |
| | | | 5.Smile and shake everyone's hand when you |
| 6. Try on your suit and make sure that it is | | | | are meeting for the first time - you should |
| still well-fitting and in good repair. If | | | | also smile and shake hands when the interview |
| necessary, make arrangements to have it | | | | concludes. |
| altered or find alternate dress. | | | | |
| | | | 6. Relax! If you have done your homework you |
| The Day before the Interview | | | | are well-prepared for the interview. Take a |
| | | | deep breath and spend a moment collecting |
| 1. Contact the company to confirm the date | | | | your thoughts if you need to when being asked |
| and time of your interview. Also confirm the | | | | a question. Ask confused about a particular |
| name and title of the individual(s) you will | | | | question you are asked, don't hesitate to ask |
| be meeting. | | | | for clarification. |
| | | | |
| 2. Get directions to the interview site. Be | | | | After the Interview |
| sure to double check the directions using a | | | | |
| map. This will ensure that you know the way | | | | Write a quick "Thank You" message to the |
| and also give you an approximate travel time | | | | individual(s) who interviewed you. |
| - don't forget to allow for extra time for | | | | |