Interview Tips

Before the Interview:

1. Research: Investigate  the company, the position and anything else that may help you establish your value to the employer in the interview.
2. Role-Play:  Sketch out some practice questions and practice a little .  There are a number of readily available lists of example interview questions.  There is no need for any question to be a "curveball."
3. Rest:  Get plenty of sleep and eat well.  Nothing's worse than nerves undermining an excellent opportunity.

The Day of the Interview

At Home 

1. Clean: Proper grooming should be a part of you're daily routine whether at work or looking for work, don't overlook the importance of appearance.
2. Comfortable: Make sure you are comfortable with what you are wearing, and make sure that your interviewer is comfortable as well.  Avoid fragrance over-kill and distracting jewelry.
3. Conservative:  It's always better to err on the side of caution when it comes to dress code.

• Don't Forget: A copy of your resume, references and identification (you may get hired on the spot, and that will help move the process along more quickly).

At The Interview

1. Promptness:  Respect your prospective employer by arriving between 10 and 5 minutes of the interview.  If you are uncertain of the location, leave a little early, but don't assume that the interviewer has nothing planned in the 15 minutes before your appointment.
2. Politeness:  Treat the receptionist or other front-desk personnel with the same care you would treat a hiring authority.  Turn off anything that might make noise (cell phones, pagers, watches, etc).
3. Positiveness: Make a smile and firm handshake a part of your greeting.  Do not bemoan your previous or current employer.  And by all means, don't focus on your limitations while speaking with a prospective employer.  Convey confidence, but don't go overboard.
4. Professionalism: Avoid slang and pay careful attention to the tone of the interview.  Act naturally, but use humor with care according to the attitude of the interviewer and the course of the interview.  Also, using jargon and technical language is a good way to convey your knowledge in a field, but it may also convey a weakness in communicating with individuals outside of your field, so use discretion.

After The Interview

1. Connect:  Shake hands, make  eye contact and thank  each interviewer by name.  Be sure you have a way to get in touch; feel free to ask for a business card if the interviewer(s) fail to offer one.
2. Connect:  Send a thank you note promptly after the interview and be readily available for a job offer or a follow-up interview.
3. Connect:  Even if you do not get the job maintain a polite, positive and professional attitude as you continue to explore other opportunities and build a network.  You'd be surprised who talks to whom when it comes to finding talented individuals.