How-To Guide for Having a Great Interview

Everyone must do it and no one wants to. Interviewing is just a part of life. Eventually to get a job, everyone has to interview for the position. So how can someone have a great interview? The following is a how-to guide on interviewing.

First, preparation for you interview is essential. Properly preparing is the most important factor to your success in the interview room. Doing a great job prior to the interview starts with researching the company that's interviewing you and position that you are hoping to fill. Only a simple working knowledge of their company is needed, so it's usually best to take a look at the company website and their financial profile. It is also useful to check out similar positions and other companies in order to get a feel for the company's position in their market.

Another great way to prepare is to answer common interview questions ahead of time. Questions such as "tell us about yourself" and "what are your strengths and weaknesses" are sure to be a part of the questioning, so answering them beforehand makes you appear more polished and ready. You should prepare a list of your top 7 qualities and top 3 weaknesses. On this list, you should jot down a short story or past experience for each of these qualities that serves as an example for each one. During the interview process, if you've prepared this list, you'll be able to use this tool as a reference for almost all of the questions that will be asked. For example, if you were asked to describe a time when you took control of a situation, you would be able to refer to your lists of strengths and select a quality that fits the situation and then use your story for that quality. This approach is simple and will make you look like an all-star in the interview room.
Second, after preparing appropriately, you should find the appropriate attire for your interview. The dress for the interview should typically be on par with the type of company or position that you are interviewing for. For example, if you are interviewing for a professional position you should dress in formal attire. Often, it is best to simply call ahead and ask what the appropriate interview attire will be. This will save you from the mistake of being dressed improperly.

Once you're prepared and dressed properly for your big day, you are ready to interview. During the interview you should be formal, but also display a casual attitude when it's appropriate. Being overly formal won't give the interviewer insight into your daily personality, but being to casual gives the impression that you aren't respectful. Finding a balance between the two is the key. With a proper preparation, you should be able to answer all questions with ease and without having waste time for thought. At the end of the interview, it's always great to ask relevant questions about the company and/or position. Questions should be sincere and show that you put detailed thought into formulating them. The interviewer should feel that you are sincerely interested in the response.

After the interview, it's always a nice gesture to the interviewer and the company if you send thank you letters to every one who participated in interviewing you. Some times a phone call can take the place of thank you letters as well. Following up after the interview with a nice gesture could be the key to closing the deal and getting the position you are interested in.

So, if you want to interview well and get the job or position of your choice, it's essential to (1) prepare properly, (2) find the appropriate attire, (3) balance your interview demeanor between formal and casual, and (4) follow-up after your interview.