How to Prepare For a Great Job Interview

Get ready for the interview so you can feel calm and confident.

A good cover letter and a stellar resume can't guarantee you'll get the job, but a great interview may. Preparing for the interview days in advance will help you feel ready to tackle anything that comes your way. Think of yourself as Rocky preparing for the fight. If you're practiced and in good interview condition you may very well win the job.

Instructions

1. Spend time online researching the company. Being informed about your potential employer will make you better able to handle questions and it also helps you to position yourself as the right person for the job. Find out what's going on in the company's industry and any particular issues the company is facing. Learn about the company's mission and their products. Compare this information against your background and find ways to explain how your experience aligns with the company and how you can help them solve a problem.

2. Stand in front of a mirror and talk to yourself. Study the most common interview questions and determine how you'll answer them. Jot down your answers and say them out loud a couple of times. It may feel silly, but this method helps to make your presentation look and sound polished.

3. Dress for success. Take your suit to the dry cleaners a week before the interview. Shine your shoes and get a hair cut. Dress the part for the job you want.

4. Find the interview site ahead of time. Take a dry run and drive by the location a few days before the interview so you may scope out the parking situation. Knowing where you're going can help calm your nerves and help you account for how much time you need to get there so you're not late.

5. Prepare questions for the interviewer and write them down. Think about questions you really want to know and not ones that you can easily answer yourself. Interviewers are usually impressed by thoughtful questions about the position and the company. Consider asking about the company culture, the expectations of the job and what the interviewer is looking for in a candidate. Use your initial company research to form questions.

6. Organize your materials and information. Print copies of your resume for the interviewer and for yourself. Bring a list of references and gather any supporting materials you may need such as a portfolio of writing samples. Bring a form of identification such as a Social Security card or driver's license, especially if you have to fill out any paperwork.

References

• Washington State Work Source: Interview Preparation