Interviewing.

Interviews can be very stressful. This is your one shot to prove to an employer why they must hire you. You have to worry about your appearance, your manners, your answers all the while appearing calm and collected. But there's no way around them. If you want the job, you have to face an interviewer, or two or three.

The interview is where you will really sell yourself. The employer has expressed an interest in you after viewing your resume, but that has only gotten you in the door. Now comes the big sale.

BEFORE

• Prepare. Do some research on the company prior to going in for the interview. You can look at industry publications, the corporate website, annual reports. Familiarize yourself with as much background information as you can find, from key employees to products and services as well as the organization's history and future plans. This will give an employer a sense that you really want to work for their company because you have taken the time to do a little homework. It shows that you are willing to go the extra mile.
• Rehearse. Think of some questions the interviewer is likely to ask you and practice positive, winning answers. Make sure your answers will be ones that demonstrate your competence and how that will benefit the company. You want the interviewer to see how beneficial your services will be to their organization.
  Possible Questions:
  • Tell me about yourself.
  • Why did you leave your last job?
  • Why should we hire you?
  • Why do you think you can be successful here?
  • What are your ultimate career goals?
• Know your Qualifications. Be prepared to back up everything on your resume and to discuss your skills and experience in further depth.

DURING

• Appearance. It is important that you look your best when you go to your interview. Be well-groomed and well-dressed. Even if a company has a casual-dress policy, it is recommended that you overdress for the interview unless you are told otherwise.
• Control. Don't be pushy during the interview; let the interviewer run the show. While it is important that you seem enthused, you don't want to come across as demanding. If you have questions, ask them at the appropriate time. Let the interviewer finish thoughts; don't cut him/her off mid-sentence.
• Positive. Always answer questions in the positive. Reword your thoughts so that you always answer in the affirmative.
• Achievements. Make sure that when you discuss your skills, you follow them up with an accomplishment. Don't just tell you know how to do something; point out the times you have actually been successful at completing it.

AFTER

• Follow-up. Always follow up an interview with a thank you note to show your appreciation for the interviewer's time and consideration.

An alternative form of interviewing is phone interviews. The strategy should be similar in that you prepare ahead of time and follow-up afterwards, but physical appearance is not as important. You must be even more aware of your voice however. Keep a smile on your face; it will make you sound more cheerful. Speak strongly and loudly; your voice will be a big part of the impression you leave.