Job Interview Preparation

Here are some tips to have a more successful job interview:

Research the company before you go, so you are familiar with what the company does. Look for their website, if they have one, and check the careers section. This will give you a good idea of what they are looking for in each position. Do some homework on the products they sell, their competition, and their mission statement. The job market is tough right now, and when a company is hiring, they want to get the position filled with the right person the first time.

Prepare some questions ahead of time. The interview is two-way, and 99% of interviewers will ask you, "So, do you have any questions?". It's ok to have the questions written out in advance, and to refer to them on paper. This shows the interviewer that you were prepared. When I say that the interview is two way, you are looking for a career that will meet your needs, just as the company is looking for an employee to meet theirs.

Arrive early, but NOT TOO EARLY! If they asked you to come in at a specific time, it is probably because they have a tight schedule, and/or are conducting several other interviews that day. If you show up an hour or two early, it may annoy them, or even make them feel uncomfortable as they are trying to conduct business and have somebody waiting on them. You also do not want to show over-eagerness, as they may feel you are desperate for work (Even if you actually are, you don't want to show it.)

Dress for success! Don't show up under dressed, meaning jeans and a T-shirt. You want to display your professionalism in everything you do. Dress appropriately for the job environment. Even if it is a warehouse or manual labor type position, you should still dress nicely, like in slacks and a button down shirt. For Office or Customer Service type positions, wear a tie or nice dress.

Be yourself! Don't try to pretend that you are an expert at every single thing they throw at you, if you don't have any clue. Be honest, and relaxed. If you aren't, the interviewer is going to pick up on it and you will lose points. Try to maintain eye contact and smiles through the interview, but don't force it. Try to be as natural as you can. It is always helpful to have a mock interview with a friend or family member, or even in the mirror. If you have a digital camera or webcam, record your mock interview, and try to pick out areas you can improve.

Bring along a copy or two of your resume with you. Sometimes the interviewer only has your application, and they may ask you details about previous jobs such as dates worked, etc. This way you are prepared with the answers.

Be prepared for those tough questions... "What do you think is your greatest weakness/strength?" - Trust me, they will ask.The trick is to keep your voice calm and steady, and not sound defensive or arrogant in your reply. They are going to ask many loaded questions, and you should be ready for them. Some of them they are trying to get a feel for how you react in difficult situations, or how you are with team skills. If you do some research on the Internet, you can find lists of many common interview questions, and think about how you would answer.

Hopefully these tips will give you some confidence and readiness for your next interview. Good luck!