2torial #0957:
Learn2 Prepare for a Job Interview

Get a job!

You've finally finagled an interview for that dream job you know you'd be perfect for. The problem is, whenever you imagine yourself in the interview, your palms start to sweat, your heart races, and the most intelligent thing you can think of to say is, "Give me the job--please?" Don't despair. We'll take you through the key but basic moves toward getting ready for the big day, so you'll feel prepared, confident, and ready to show your stuff.

There's one important question you need to ask yourself: Do I really want this job? It's easy to convince yourself that the job will be "good enough" simply because the company in question has granted you an interview. And although it's wise to attend every interview you can to gain practice and learn more about your field, it's essential to remember that the people conducting the interview aren't only interviewing you--you're interviewing them as well.

Research the company

Before you go to the interview, you have a homework assignment to do: Find out as much about the company as you possibly can. Therešs nothing less impressive to an interviewer than a candidate who knows nothing about what the company does--especially when information about most businesses is readily available even to novice researchers. You want to show your prospective employer that you'll be an asset to the company--and to do that, you need information.

• Find the company's website. Most businesses have a site these days. If you can't find it, call the main phone line and ask for the web address.

• Do a recent news search. You should be able to find recent articles about the company by doing a quick Internet search. For a more comprehensive search, go to your local library and use a newspaper and magazine database.

• Read the material the company has published about itself. If the company is publicly traded, its annual report will be available, often online. This handy document has all sorts of useful tidbits in it, such as the company history, mission statement, and news releases. A media kit, which is a booklet of promotional material about a company and its products, is also a great thing to have. If the company has produced one, you can usually obtain a copy through the marketing department.

• It's important to get a feel for the overall company morale as well. Ask people you know if they've heard of the company or know anyone who works there (a great way to get the inside scoop).

Research the position

Your job as a candidate is to present yourself as the best possible person for the position. The best way to do this is to find out what the position entails, and then think about what specific skills make you especially suited for the job.

• Talk to others who do the same job. If you can, talk to employees of the company through people you know personally or the human resources department. If this isn't possible, get in touch with someone from a similar establishment. Grill them on the ups and downs of the position, and the skills they think are necessary to do the job well.

• Think about your own experience, and come up with some concrete examples of why you're a strong candidate.

• Make sure you really do have the necessary qualifications for the job. If you're underqualified, know that you'll have to make up for it in some other way to be seriously considered--perhaps with an ability to quickly learn new skills, or related skills in an area that would also be applicable.

Research the interviewer

Find out as much as possible about the person, or people, who will be interviewing you. Call the receptionist and ask for the correct spelling and pronunciation of their names. If there is no receptionist, try to look up the information on the company website. Find out their positions, what and who they're in charge of, and, if possible, their accomplishments of note. Any interviewer, no matter how shrewd, will be happy to hear that you heard about a recent award he or she has won or that you've read an article he or she wrote and really enjoyed it.

Gather your supplies

Once you're armed with background knowledge, it's time to suit yourself up for battle. At least one day in advance of the actual interview, start gathering the things you need.

• Have at least two copies of your resume printed on resume paper. Even if you've sent the company multiple copies via mail, email, and fax, assume they've been lost by now. Have them in a resume folder, ready to be produced.

• Prepare a portfolio of your work if applicable.

• Decide on two people who would be good references, and print out their phone numbers, email, and mailing addresses on resume paper. Have a few copies ready with your resume. Make sure you've contacted these people in advance to let them know that a prospective employer may be calling them at some point, and to ensure they'll give you a positive review.

• Figure out exactly where the interview is and how to get there.

Prepare some interview questions

At the end of almost every interview, the interviewer will look at you expectantly and ask, "So, do you have any questions?" This is your chance to really show the interviewer you're interested in the position. Prepare at least three questions that will demonstrate your knowledge of the industry and your interest in the company in particular. You may want to write these down--you don't want to draw a blank and have nothing to say just because you're nervous.

• It's good to ask a question that implies you're achievement-oriented and looking for a long-term career. For example, you could ask what opportunities your position might lead to if you performed well for a year.

• Another good tactic is to ask a question that shows your knowledge of the industry or marketplace. For example, ask where the company sees itself in relation to its competitors.

• This is also a great time to find out a little more about the company's hiring process, so you'll know when you should expect to hear from them. Questions like, "What's your hiring time frame?" are direct, yet not prying.

Prepare yourself for the big moment

The most important thing to remember is not to wait until the last minute! The last thing you want to do an hour before your interview is search frantically for a clean shirt. Pick out a conservative and tasteful outfit at least a day before. Make sure everything is clean and ironed, your shoes are shined, and you have a pair of matching socks or stockings that don't have runs in them (you might want to take an extra pair along in your purse just in case). Finally, and perhaps most important, get plenty of sleep the night before.

You're in the homestretch now. Because you've already prepared everything at this point, you'll have no trouble getting to the interview on time. Try to arrive about ten minutes early--a friendly chat with the receptionist while you wait might help put you at ease. And remember, your interviewers' purpose in life is not to give you the third degree. They actually want to hire you so they can get back to work! So take a deep breath and relax. Your interviewer will be impressed with your preparation, and you'll be impressed at how well you present yourself.

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