How to prepare for a winning interview

So you are praying for luck in that job interview you've been invited to. Prayers alone will not help you, my friend.  A wise old woman once said that lady luck appears when opportunity meets preparation.

 

You have been invited for an interview for a job you really want. What you need to do is to prepare, prepare, prepare. Do not go into that interview cold turkey. You may live to regret it. Here are a few tips to help you nail that interview:

 

1.   Do your homework. Find out all you can about the company, what they do, how they do it, what is the company's philosophy, etc.  If you can find out a little known fact about the company, you will impress your interviewer and stand out from the crowd.

 

2.   Prepare some questions of your own to ask your potential employer. Let them see that you are thinking and the asset you would bring to the company if you were hired.  Think carefully and ask sensible questions with possible solutions to your questions if it requires that.

 

3.   If you get help in preparing your resume make sure you know what is written in that resume about you because interviewers usually use that resume as a basis for their questions.  Imagine how you would feel or the impression you will leave with your interviewer if you cannot answer one of their questions because you do not have a clue where that came from.

 

 

4.   Wear an outfit that matches the dress code of the company. You can find out what is the dress code by going to the company on some pretext or the other - perhaps to pick up a brochure and use the opportunity to observe how people are dressed or you can find out via the Internet if you do not live within the vicinity of the company.

 

 

5.   Make eye contact but do not stare at the interviewer without blinking. Making appropriate eye contact is sometimes difficult for newcomers because of cultural differences. Some cultures see this as being rude and disrespectful. However with all due respect when in

Rome

you have to do as the Romans do and practice making eye contact until it becomes natural.

 

6.   After the interview follow up with a phone call or a note thanking the interviewer for giving you the opportunity to discuss your credentials and experience.