| Several Days - One Week Before the Interview | | | | extra time for rush hour! |
| 1. Spend some time to research the organization and | | | | 3. Lay out your entire interview outfit. Check it for any |
| the position at hand. To find company-specific | | | | spot, wrinkles, or snags. |
| information, visit your local library, run a search on the | | | | 4. Print off a few extra copies of your resume and |
| internet, or talk to current or former employees about | | | | cover letter on nice paper. Even if the interviewer has |
| their experiences and impressions of the company. | | | | a copy of their own, it's always a good idea to have a |
| Study up on the company's products and services, | | | | backup copy. This is also helpful if you end up |
| industry, target market, annual sales, geographic | | | | interviewing with multiple individuals, since the head |
| location(s), structure, history, officers, and any other | | | | interviewer may be the only person with a copy of |
| key information. Are there any new trends in the | | | | your resume. |
| industry? | | | | Get a good night's sleep! |
| 2. Identify the organization's major competitors and do | | | | 1. Your brain needs fuel to run at peak performance |
| some basic research on how they differ (either | | | | and if there is ever a day you needed 110% from your |
| positively or negatively) from the company at which | | | | brain, it's today. So don't skimp on meals. Be cautious |
| you are interviewing. | | | | about eating large amounts of carbohydrates right |
| 3. Prepare specific examples of how your skills and | | | | before your interview though, since carbs are know to |
| experience make you a strong fit for the organization's | | | | cause sluggishness and may lead to a "post-lunch" |
| needs. Practice answering directed questions about | | | | naptime. |
| your experience, education, and skills and how they | | | | 2. Get dressed early so you do not feel pressured to |
| relate to the position at hand. Being prepared to draw | | | | dash out the door. Pay attention to the details (brush |
| colorations between your experience and the needs | | | | off any lint, comb your hair, brush your teeth, use |
| of the organization is one of the most important | | | | deodorant, etc.) and remember that a first impression |
| interviewing skills you will need. | | | | can reveal a lot about you and your character. |
| 4. Identify your strengths and weaknesses. Be | | | | 3. Don't forget to take copies of your resume, your |
| prepared to talk about your weaknesses, but find a | | | | cover letter, and your portfolio if you have one. |
| way to frame them positively. For example, "My | | | | 4. Leave yourself plenty of time to get to your |
| biggest weakness is that I am a perfectionist. It may | | | | interview. If you arrive more than 15 minutes early, it's |
| take me a little extra time to get a project done to my | | | | best to wait in the car or outside the building. Arriving |
| satisfaction, but you can be guaranteed that the work | | | | too early gives off the impression that you have a lot |
| will pass even the most stringent review, be 100% | | | | riding on the interview (and have nothing better to do |
| accurate, and that no detail will be overlooked." | | | | with your time), and also pressures the interviewer(s) |
| 5. Prepare several intelligent questions about the | | | | into feeling that they have to adjust their schedule to |
| company and position that will demonstrate your | | | | accommodate you. |
| knowledge of the company and your sincere interest | | | | 5.Smile and shake everyone's hand when you are |
| in the position. | | | | meeting for the first time - you should also smile and |
| 6. Try on your suit and make sure that it is still | | | | shake hands when the interview concludes. |
| well-fitting and in good repair. If necessary, make | | | | 6. Relax! If you have done your homework you are |
| arrangements to have it altered or find alternate dress. | | | | well-prepared for the interview. Take a deep breath |
| The Day before the Interview | | | | and spend a moment collecting your thoughts if you |
| 1. Contact the company to confirm the date and time | | | | need to when being asked a question. Ask confused |
| of your interview. Also confirm the name and title of | | | | about a particular question you are asked, don't |
| the individual(s) you will be meeting. | | | | hesitate to ask for clarification. |
| 2. Get directions to the interview site. Be sure to | | | | After the Interview |
| double check the directions using a map. This will | | | | Write a quick "Thank You" message to the individual(s) |
| ensure that you know the way and also give you an | | | | who interviewed you. |
| approximate travel time - don't forget to allow for | | | | |