Interviewing for a new job regardless of whether it is with a different company, within the same company or in a completely different industry can be quite overwhelming and stressful. The majority of us will participate in several interviews in our lifetime and for some of us interviewing will become a big part of our lives. This is especially true during economic turbulent times like today. Companies are being forced to layoff, downsize and even job shift. Many major corporations have been shifting jobs (outsourcing jobs offshore) therefore leaving many people out of work. According to Business Week, "IBM has indeed been shifting jobs. The magazine reported that the company's workforce went up from 386,558 at the end of 2007 to 398,000 at the end of 2008. But U.S. employment fell from 121,000 to 115,000 during the same time." Through various diverse means jobs are being cut and many people are looking for new opportunities. Below are several tips that may be helpful when preparing for a job interview.
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Research
The number one most important piece in preparing for a successful interview is to do your homework. In today's day and age with access to the internet and other valuable career resources at our fingertips there is no reason to show up to an interview unfamiliar with the company. Researching the company, position and process (who and how) will not only demonstrate your sincere interest and increase your confidence, but it is an opportunity to learn what you have to offer and to impress the interviewers. So what type of information should you research? Some examples include: size of the firm, organizational structure and career paths, percentage of annual sales growth in the last five years, locations/home office, competition, organizational goals and of course their products and services. Demonstrating your knowledge of the company and their products and services can help you stand out from the crowd.
Know yourself
Although doing your homework is absolutely necessary knowing yourself is just as essential. In my opinion, the two go hand in hand. You can spew out as many tidbits about the company as you want but if you cannot demonstrate how your skills and experiences tie into the company's objectives there is no point in participating in the interview. For example, understanding how your values, interests and skills fit into the company's mission and overall goals is going to allow you to showcase your value to the company. Discussing your career objectives will give the interviewers an idea of where and how you fit within their organization. Without this knowledge you fail to paint a picture of your potential role within the company.
Mock interviews
Another important task in preparing for a successful interview is practicing. Participating in mock interviews with family, friends or other people within your industry will give you an opportunity to practice "selling" yourself as well as receive feedback. Practicing will build up your interviewing skills in addition to building your self-confidence. The feedback you receive may shed some new light on points you never consider before and provide tips on your communication style. Nonverbal communication such as facial expressions, eye contact and posture are just as important as verbal communications such as tone of voice, positive words/phrases and sense of humor. Both forms of communication can make or break the interview.
Stack your pack
To prepare for a successful interview means showing up to the interview with the right tools and enough copies to display your work for everyone. First, be sure to always have a copy of the directions and phone number to the company. A career portfolio may be a good idea to showcase your successes and leave a lasting impression. Always have more than enough resume copies on hand because you never know how many people will be interviewing you or stopping by during the interview. Bring extra copies of references and business cards. Lastly, make sure you have a pen and pad of paper to take notes during the interview. Start by writing down your interviewer's name and important key points that are discussed regarding the position and your responsibilities and expectations. Be sure to star anything that may seem unclear and go back to ask for clarification.
Questions
Writing out a list of questions prior to the interview is crucial. Many questions will stem from the research you conducted earlier and other questions may come from your own interests or what you would like more clarification on. For examples, questions about the positions responsibilities, reason for the opening, more about company's goals and missions, career paths, training opportunities etc. will give you more insight into what your role will be and if this position aligns with who you are and what you are seeking in a position.
Dress Appropriately
Dressing for success requires advance planning. It is important to note that although the company's dress code may be relaxed your attire should remain conservative, neat and professional. Be sure to lie out and iron your clothes the night before so it is ready to go the day of the interview. For men, appropriate attire may include a solid color dark suit with tailored slacks and a conservative tie. Women's attire may include a navy, black, brown, gray or beige suit color avoiding bright colors and patterns. Remember to keep jewelry, make-up and perfume to a minimum. Lastly, don't forget to wear a smile!
What not to bring
In preparing for a successful interview remember to keep in mind some items you should not bring to an interview: gum, candy, cigarettes, cell phone and blackberry (leave in car), IPods, coffee or soda, and any visible tattoo's (cover them up).
Overall, there are several steps you can take in preparing for a successful job interview but an important tip to keep in mind is to have a positive mental attitude that can shine through during the interview. Many times people go in to an interview prepared for all the "right" things to say and forget to let their upbeat personality or enthusiasm come through. Employers do not only hire qualified people but also those individuals who they can connect with and who will "fit" in well with their organization are often employed.
Erin Suess is a life and career coach and creator of http://www.lifecoachingdesigns.com She works with individuals who are seeking to enhance their personal and professional lives through gaining clarity and achieving goals. She also offers MBTI and Strong Interest Inventory testing on her site. If you are ready to live your best life then contact Erin. You can go to her website at: http://www.lifecoachingdesigns.com
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