Job Interview

So you finally got the shot at a job interview. What should you do? The experts at Careerealism.com have published a step-by-step guide to preparing for the job interview.

The Day You Are Offered The Interview

These are some things you should do immediately after getting an interview:

Respond promptly: Waiting to respond may send a message that you’re not interested (bad!) or have poor follow-up (also bad!). Respond promptly, thank the employer for the opportunity, and express your excitement without being over-the-top.

Ask about logistics: Aside from nailing down the address, it’s generally acceptable to ask about the company’s dress code and for the names of who you’ll be interviewing with. Avoid asking questions that you (or Google) can answer yourself (e.g. directions).

Clear your schedule: If you’re currently employed or have other commitments, make sure the appropriate people know you will not be available the day of your interview.

The Week Before The Interview

Your interview is a week away! Get prepared by doing the following:

Research the hiring company: Even if you did this before applying to the job (which you should have!), it’s time to revisit the company website, its blog, and recent news write-ups.

Research the hiring managers: If you know who the interviewers are, do a little research. Look for them on the company’s team page and on online networks. Try to get a feel for who the interviewers are and for the type of person the company employs.

Decide what to wear to the interview: Don’t wait until the night before. Try on your interview outfit, ask others for their opinion, and make sure you don’t need a trip to the dry cleaner or cobbler.

The Day Before The Interview

In order to be completely prepared for your interview, make sure to do these things the day before:

Review the job posting: It will be far easier to tailor your interview answers if the job description is fresh in your mind.

Practice answering common interview questions: There are certain questions you can expect to asked during a job interview. Look up the generic ones as well as ones specific to your industry, then rehearse them with a friend, family member, or patient pet.

Prepare questions for the employer: At the end on an interview you will be given the opportunity to ask questions. It’s an important part of the interview and the questions you ask could make or break you, so put some serious thought into them.

Map the directions: One of the last things you want to do is be late for your interview. Find how long it should take you get there, then give yourself plenty of extra time in case you get lost, stuck in traffic, or detoured.

Gather your day-of materials: Even if the hiring manager doesn’t ask, it’s common practice to bring enough copies of your resume for yourself and for each of the interviewers. You should also bring a pen and paper to take notes, as well as anything else specifically requested by the employer. Other things to consider include mints, grooming materials, money for parking, and a backup interview outfit (just in case you spill your Starbucks all over your lap).

Do the obvious things: Go to bed at a reasonable hour and set at least one alarm.

Think positively: Visualizing a positive outcome has a surprising impact on real-life performance. Think about past successes and envision, in detail, a stellar interview in your mind.