Interview Tip: Preparation

Posted by admin at 2:05 pm

Your resume has gotten you in the door, but the interview gets you the job. In order to prove you are the best candidate for a position, you must be fully prepared. Below you will find a few helpful  tips for preparation.

Research

Look up as much information about the company and the position as you can. This will not only allow you to comment on anything that perked your interest regarding the company or the position during the interview, but it will also prepare you for any questions they might ask you, or any questions you would like to ask them.  Being knowledgeable will give you a leg up on competition that might not have been fully prepared.

Make a List of Possible Questions

Thinking back to the research you did on the company and the tradition, what are some questions you could be asked during the interview? Practice your answers with a friend or in the mirror. Be prepared for the traditional questions as well, such as:

• Tell me about yourself
• What are your strengths and weaknesses
• Why are you the best fit
• What interests you about the position
• Questions regarding any information on your resume

What to Bring

Brag books used to be for Executive-level positions or sales jobs: That is a thing of the past. Anything such as letters of recommendations, projects, writing samples, certifications, awards, your cover letter and resume can be added to a portfolio to present at the time of the interview. Make sure you practice the presentation of your brag book and that anything you put in it relates to the position you are interviewing for in some way. Make this look clean and professional, using a binder of some sort as well as plastic inserts for each page.

If you know how many people will be interviewing you, bring a copy of your resume for each person. If you don’t know, 4 copies should suffice. Make sure to bring one for yourself as well to have in front of you at the interview.

Not being fully prepared is the biggest mistake made in the interviewing process. Arrive about 15 minutes early and dress professionally. A suit is highly recommended, no matter what position you are interviewing for.

For more tips on interviewing, resumes and job searching, visit the StratStaff blog.