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It is extremely important that you prepare yourself for a job interview if you want to ace it. On these pages you will find the information you need to get ready for your interview, and start your new job shortly thereafter! And the fact that you are doing some research on how to prepare for an interview already puts you ahead of many of other interviewees.
First Step: Company Research
As soon as you are scheduled for a job interview, the first thing you should do is research all the information you can about the company you’ll interview with. Doing a background check on them make sense, especially since most likely they will do some kind of background check on you (so be prepared for that too. They will probably check myspace, facebook and the like.)
Start by going online and visiting their website. Read all about it, what they do, what they specialize in, know the names of the owners, president, managers, etc.
Grab a notebook and write down everything you do like about the company, and why you would like to work there. Write down also what it is you don’t like. Write down everything, because it is very likely that they will ask you “And why would you like to work for us?”
Then enter the name of the company in Google, and read other websites that reference that company. The more you know about them, the better. Most people do not do any research, so if they see that you took the time to learn about them, you will be in a much better position.
If they sell products, learn as much as you can about them. If it’s services, what are they? Be prepared to talk about the company with confidence.
You can also talk to people who have worked or still work at the company. Ask them what they like and don’t like about it, get as much information as you can.
Also, go to the company ahead of time, for several reasons. Number one, you will know how long it takes you to get there, because the last thing you want to do on interview day is to be late. And number two, you can get a better feeling about the company by looking at the people that work there, the building, etc.
Step two: Practice, practice, practice.
Practice makes perfect, right? If you’ve ever heard Steve Jobs speak, you most likely were impressed with his speech. (Steve Jobs by the way, is Apple’s CEO). I’ve heard from many sources that he practices every word he is going to say, several times.
So practice interviews. Memorize the name and title of the person you will be interviewing with, and have a friend interview you. Grab a list of typical questions, and have him or her ask you the questions, and videotape it. Take this seriously, your future job is on the line. Then review the recording and see where you can improve.
Not only should you be prepared to talk about your experience, but also you should be prepared
to provide detailed responses including specific examples of your work experiences.
Just think of examples where you have successfully used the skills you've acquired. You can compile a list of accomplishments, skills, values, strengths and weaknesses. And remember to emphasize how you can benefit the company rather than just what you are interested in.
Don’t just sit there passively answering questions; you should prepare your own list of questions. Keep in mind that you are also interviewing the employer to assess whether this company and the position are good for you.
The night before the interview, mentally go over the interview that will take place the next day, and live it in you mind, over and over again, and imagine a very successful interview, in detail. Make it as real as possible. Imagine yourself, talking to the interviewer, calm, relaxed and confident. Feel that you are indeed talking to this person, and that you like each other. Imagine that the interviewer tells you that you are hired, how do you feel? Thank the interviewer for the job that they are offering you, with deep gratitude. Make this as real as possible, the results will blow you away! This is probably the best thing you could do to get hired at the company, and we are not joking! Do it, and please let us know how well it went.
Step three: Prepare for the interview
By now, you should know the interviewer’s name by heart (you better!). Again, make sure you arrive early (at least 15 minutes early; the earlier the better). You need to be calm and relaxed; if you are late, you are already stressed before you walk in the door.
As you drive to the interview, make sure you feel grateful for the job they will offer you. If you need to calm down a bit, just take a few deep breaths, hold them, then release them slowly, while you review in your mind the interview you imagined last night and how smoothly it went. Know, deep in your heart, that the job is yours, and feel grateful for it.
Step Four: During the interview
Remember to use the interviewer’s name often during the interview. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you don’t understand a question, and take the time you need to answer. Look at your interviewer in the eye when you talk to him or her, and always remember what you visualized the previous night.
If you feel a question or two are not helping you during the interview, just feel how you would feel once they offer you the job. The point is this: always, no matter what is going on, always keep your eyes on what you do want (the job as if it’s already yours), and never on what you do not want. If you make a mistake, just keep going.
At the end of the interview, sincerely thank the interviewer and reiterate your interest in the position. Then follow-up with a personal Thank You note restating your interest.
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