Andrea Interview Tips Part 1: Preparing for the Interview

An interview can be daunting, especially if the job in question is one you really want.  However, taking control of the interview process with thorough preparation is the best way to dispel the understandable "jitters" and ensure that the interview goes smoothly.  You cannot control whether you ultimately get the job, but you can control how well-prepared you are and whether or not you make a good impression.

In this series of two articles, Andrea Doven, a recognized human resources expert, gives some tips on preparing for an interview as well as on how to conduct yourself once you arrive.

• Be prepared.  It is impossible to guess at every question that you may be asked, but it is likely that certain topics will come up in any serious interview.  Review the "Top Ten" questions asked at most interviews or the "Forty Most Popular Interview Questions" to see how you would answer each.  It might even help to write out your answers, as writing involves a different set of skills that speaking and can often help you make connections between your knowledge and your expression of that knowledge.

• Know your history.  You will probably be asked about your job history, so familiarize yourself with the dates of various jobs you have held in the past and prepare a brief overview of what you did, emphasizing your skills and contributions to the company.  Be sure you never say anything detrimental about a former employer; if you left under less-than-ideal circumstances, be honest in saying that you were not the right fit for the company but that you learned a great deal while working there.  If you were fired, be candid about the fact but do not dwell on it.  Offer a simple explanation and move on.  

• Research industry trends.  Industry trends affect every type of business, and knowing about them can be the key to showing an employer that you take your job seriously.  At the very least, get a couple of periodicals related to the industry in which you are applying for a job and scan them for current events and issues.  You can then delve deeper into those topics by researching more online.  You may even want to begin a notebook of current articles related to your industry so that you can easily grab quotes or data for a written essay question, which some companies ask for on their applications, or as a quick reference in an interview.

• Make time for career preparation.  It is easy to let life get in the way, but it is very important for you to take interview planning seriously.  The right preparation could be the difference in whether or not you get the job, so banish the kids from your home office, put on some soft music and dive into your job search prep.  Be sure that you read over your resume and cover letter several times and have someone else do so as well.  

Preparing for an interview takes time and hard work but the results may well be worth the effort!