but not too much. You want to do just enough research so that you know what to expect and can speak intelligently on the points related to your job function, and it helps to jot down a few âwowâemâ facts about the company that you would never know unless you did your homework; however, donât spend too much time on the companyâs Website that you end up sounding like Wikipedia in the interview.
Itâs in your best interests to find out as much as you can about the person or people interviewing you so that you know whom youâre dealing with. A Google search will prove helpful in this regard. Determine in advance what type of interview youâll be having so that you arenât caught off guard. Will the meeting be one-on-one, or will you be sitting in front of a panel of executives? Will you be asked to consider a real-life business problem? Will any type of written or computer test be required while youâre there?
I also recommend putting together an interview portfolio. A portfolio is an online and/or physical display of your business achievements that shows your level of commitment to previous positions. For example, as a marketing communications executive, my portfolio included press releases and business plans Iâd written, magazine articles Iâd contributed to, and print advertisingcampaigns I helped develop. A neat and professional portfolio can be an excellent tool to refer to during an interview. Most people outside of creative fields donât bother to create anything like this, but it really does speak volumes about your ability to package yourself.
Although itâs a good idea to be conversational during an interview, be careful how much personal information you divulge. There is never a good reason to bad-mouth your previous employer, even if everything you say is justified. While he is listening to your sob story, your prospective employer is thinking how in a year you will be sitting in front of another interviewer complaining about his company. Donât be fooled by an interviewer who seems compassionate. Remember, the two of you are not friends, and the interviewerâs first loyalty is to the company heâs hiring for. If you are asked why you left a job, answer with a neutral statement, such as, âThe commute didnât allow me to spend enough time with my family,â or âI wanted to gain experience working in a different industry.â Here are some other things to keep in mind as you undergo the interview process.
Pre-Interview:
Familiarize yourself with basic interview questions such as âTell me about yourself.â Donât forget doozy interview questions such as âWhat is your worst quality?â
Assess your own skills and career path in the context of the position.
Brainstorm three to five of your most important business accomplishments and practice succinctly communicating the challenges and results of each one.
Think of some appropriate questions of your own to ask the interviewer.
Be careful not to memorize your comments, or they will end up sounding scripted.
The Day of the Interview:
Dress in neat, formal business attire: Men should wear a dark suit, solid or pinstripe, with socks that match the pants and a belt that matches the shoes. Women should pair a dark suit with tasteful accessories and non-scuffed heels of a reasonable height.
Donât arrive too early or too late.
Carry a nice briefcase that looks worn, but not too worn.
Begin with a strong handshake.
Speak confidently, even if you feel like hurling from nervousness.
Avoid talking nonstop without taking time to listen sincerely.
Refrain from saying anything negative.
Pay attention to nonverbal cuesâyours and the interviewerâs.
Take a moment to think if you donât know an answer immediately.
Be prepared for standard interview add-ons such as personality and skills assessment tests and background checks.
Let the