How to Have a Successful Interview

Learn about the management team before the interview.

The job of your cover letter and resume is to get your foot in the door and land you an interview for the job you want. Once you land that interview, the rest is up to you. Learning proper interviewing skills means the difference between success or failure, especially in a tight job market. Learning as much as you can about the company and practicing interview questions will tip the scales in your favor and help you land the job.

Instructions

1. Research the company you are interviewing with and learn everything you can about management's short-term and long-term goals. Look for relevant financial and strategic information in financial newspapers, company reports, business filings and press releases.

2. Research the company on business-oriented social media sites. Look through the list of current and former employees listed on the site and see if you have any contacts in common. Making contact with people you have in common with the potential employer will give you valuable inside information on the company, its needs and its values.

3. Practice your interview with a friend or family member. Use a list of common interview questions as your guide, but encourage your coach to find additional questions on his own. Dealing with surprise questions is part of having a successful interview.

4. Turn each interview question into an opportunity to focus on your skills, accomplishments and qualifications. Point out how the skills you possess will help the company achieve the goals you identified in your research.

5. Ask questions about the company and its strategic direction. Not asking questions is a common mistake job candidates make, but the types of questions you ask count a great deal as well. Questions about time off and benefits display a focus on what the company can do for you. Questions about where the company is headed and how you can help get it there display a focus on what you can do for the company.

6. Take a card from the hiring manager and follow up with a thank you email as soon as you return to your home or office. Follow up with a handwritten thank you note or letter a day or two later.

Tips & Warnings

• Do your homework. Learn about your potential employer before the interview.

• Arrive 10-15 early.

• Relax and stay calm.

• Give your best. That's all you can do.

• DO NOT use a real interview for practice.

• DO NOT show up late for the interview.

• DO NOT ramble. Answer questions completely and succinctly.

References

• Virginia Tech: After Interview Thank You Letters
• Carleton College: Interviewing