The Dreaded InterviewThe Dreaded Interview

Tips for a successful Tips for a successful interview:interview:• Dress for Success: Dress for Success: First impressions mean everything. No matter First impressions mean everything. No matter

how smart you are, or how qualified for the job you might be, if your how smart you are, or how qualified for the job you might be, if your appearance is not up to par it could sour the deal. appearance is not up to par it could sour the deal.

• Be on Time:Be on Time: This goes without saying, but I read on a forum not This goes without saying, but I read on a forum not long ago a post from a man who said he had a girl call him twice, long ago a post from a man who said he had a girl call him twice, late for her interview, with one excuse or another. Needless to say, late for her interview, with one excuse or another. Needless to say, he didn’t hire her. Punctuality is Very important. If you can’t make it he didn’t hire her. Punctuality is Very important. If you can’t make it to the interview on time how can you make it to work on time?to the interview on time how can you make it to work on time?

• Make Eye Contact and Offer a Firm Handshake: Make Eye Contact and Offer a Firm Handshake: To me, this is To me, this is one of the most important aspects of the interview. This is your one of the most important aspects of the interview. This is your chance to let yours shine. And make sure you make eye contact and chance to let yours shine. And make sure you make eye contact and offer a firm handshake both in the beginning of the interview and at offer a firm handshake both in the beginning of the interview and at the end. You want to be remembered, and by presenting yourself the end. You want to be remembered, and by presenting yourself coming and going as someone polite, professional, and confident you coming and going as someone polite, professional, and confident you will definitely accomplish this.will definitely accomplish this.

• Be Yourself:Be Yourself: When I mention that I am nervous about a meeting, an When I mention that I am nervous about a meeting, an interview, or a date, and friends tell me just to by myself, I always interview, or a date, and friends tell me just to by myself, I always say, “Who’s better qualified?” There is only one you, and that say, “Who’s better qualified?” There is only one you, and that automatically elevates you to the level of unique! Don’t be concerned automatically elevates you to the level of unique! Don’t be concerned that your interviewer might find you too eager, too laid back, too this that your interviewer might find you too eager, too laid back, too this or too that. After all, you can pretend to be someone else, but the or too that. After all, you can pretend to be someone else, but the person who interviews you will be able to detect such deceit. Trust person who interviews you will be able to detect such deceit. Trust me.me.

• Be PreparedBe Prepared: It is so very crucial that you have your resume : It is so very crucial that you have your resume polished, that your portfolio is done and up to date, and that you have polished, that your portfolio is done and up to date, and that you have taken the time to consider any questions that you may be asked taken the time to consider any questions that you may be asked during your interview. Some of these questions could be about your during your interview. Some of these questions could be about your past performance, your personal references, why you feel you are the past performance, your personal references, why you feel you are the person for the job, what you can bring to the table, etc. Don’t despair person for the job, what you can bring to the table, etc. Don’t despair if a question comes out of left field. If you are have done a good job in if a question comes out of left field. If you are have done a good job in previous positions, if you really are qualified and want this job; if you previous positions, if you really are qualified and want this job; if you show enthusiasm, you should be able to handle whatever comes your show enthusiasm, you should be able to handle whatever comes your way during the interview.way during the interview.

• Company Research: Company Research: Research should always be Research should always be your first step. Gathering background information on your first step. Gathering background information on employers is a crucial element in successful employers is a crucial element in successful interview preparation. You will need to be prepared interview preparation. You will need to be prepared to answer the questions "What do your know about to answer the questions "What do your know about our company"? and "Why do you want to work our company"? and "Why do you want to work here?" Knowing as much as possible about the here?" Knowing as much as possible about the company's past performance and future plans can company's past performance and future plans can make your interview more interactive and could be make your interview more interactive and could be just the leg up you need in a competitive job market. just the leg up you need in a competitive job market. Before the interview review the company's web site Before the interview review the company's web site and don't be afraid to contact your prospective and don't be afraid to contact your prospective employer to request details on the position you are employer to request details on the position you are interviewing for or to ask for company literature. interviewing for or to ask for company literature. Google the company to see what other information is Google the company to see what other information is available online. available online.

• Practice makes perfect (or at least Practice makes perfect (or at least leads to improvement). Practice with leads to improvement). Practice with a friend and record or videotape your a friend and record or videotape your responses so you can replay the responses so you can replay the interview and see how well you did. interview and see how well you did. Prepare answers to commonly asked Prepare answers to commonly asked interview questions. Doing so will interview questions. Doing so will help you analyze your background help you analyze your background