Preparing for Your Job Interview

February 16, 2012

Showing up for a job interview without preparation is like showing up for a final exam without studying!

To provide a positive first impression—and ace your job interview—there are a few things you can do BEFORE the big day.

Do your research. Find out everything you can about the organization where you’re interviewing. Combine that with the type of position you’re applying for within the company. Don’t be caught off guard if asked: What do you know about our company? (What they really want to know is: Did you prepare for this job interview by doing some research about us?)

If you plan to bring your portfolio, or any other information, take time to organize it well before you leave the house. You don’t want to appear disorganized by having to flip through documents to find a copy of your resume or examples of your work.

A day or two before your scheduled interview, scope our your interview location. Determine how long it will take you to get there on the day of your interview. Take into considerations things such as traffic flow for that time of day, construction detours, and anything else that may delay you. Everything you do and say at your interview is being reviewed—and your first test is to see if you show up on time.

If you carry a puse, make sure it’s well organized. That way if you’re asked for additional information during the interview, you can retrieve it quickly and easily.

Make sure your clothing is clean and doesn’t need repair (and that it fits properly!). Avoid flashy jewelry. Keep it simple. Many people make the mistake in thinking that no one will notice the small details. People do, especially when it’s their job to assess you to see if you’re a good fit for their company.

Have you interviewed for a job recently? Or are you a hiring manager who has some interview tips to share? We’d love to hear from you! Post in the comments below!

For additional interview etiquette tips, read “Outclass the Competition with Simple Interview Etiquette.“