| Start preparing for your job interview at least two or | | | | your mind at ease. You can never know exactly what |
| three days in advance. This will give you enough time | | | | questions the interviewer will ask, but it is possible to |
| to select the appropriate clothes to wear, complete | | | | think through potential areas and preparing the facts, |
| research about the company, and prepare for | | | | figures, and examples. |
| questions from the interviewers. You will also be able | | | | Think about and focus on the job you are applying for. |
| to use this time to become familiarized with the | | | | Focus on your past experiences and skills, and specify |
| location of the interview, which will allow you to get to | | | | how these skills and experiences will be applied for this |
| know the area and decide upon a route that will allow | | | | job. Look at what the job involves and the selection |
| you to reach your destination on time. | | | | criteria, and prepare examples from your past work |
| Remember the old adage, "Dress to impress." That is | | | | experience that meet the criteria. |
| the first thing an interviewer sees - and a sloppy | | | | Prepare your own questions for the interviewer. Most |
| appearance can mar your chances. Maintain at least | | | | interviewers will end the interview by asking if you |
| one business suit for job interviews. Take care to look | | | | have any questions. Have some questions prepared |
| clean and professional, and choose your outfit | | | | with careful thought. The questions can reflect your |
| before-hand and have it cleaned and ironed. | | | | understanding of the job and the organization, give you |
| Part of your preparations should include reviewing your | | | | a chance to impress the interviewer, and give you a |
| resume, cover letter and application form for the job, | | | | change to get more information. Some general areas |
| where applicable. Go over all the dates and details you | | | | to ask about might be: |
| have submitted and memorize what you have said in | | | | -How has the position become available? |
| your cover letter so that you can answer any | | | | -What would the jobholder's typical day involve? |
| questions about them. Take a clear-headed, third | | | | -What training and career development opportunities |
| person perspective look at your resume. | | | | are available? |
| Check for anything unusual and anything that might | | | | -How would the interviewers describe the culture of |
| prompt the interviewer to probe deeper. Have reasons | | | | the organization? |
| ready for leaving your current job or previous ones | | | | -What do they enjoy about working for this |
| and for any gaps or frequent job changes. Also, make | | | | organization? |
| sure that these issues are put in a positive context. | | | | -How is performance assessed? |
| Find Out More about Your Prospective Employer | | | | Don't ask about pay or benefits at this stage. Tailor |
| Research the company to learn more about how the | | | | your questions for each interview (if you just have a |
| organization works. Try researching the company on | | | | standard list, you may find that some of your questions |
| the Internet, talk to your contacts, and read through the | | | | have already been answered during the interview or in |
| information provided by the organization. Knowing the | | | | the company's literature) and prepare quite a few, in |
| mission and the values of the organization gives you | | | | case some of your questions are pre-empted. |
| an edge. It shows that you did your homework and | | | | With adequate preparation and research, you will get |
| that you are interested while making you familiar with | | | | through your job interview with ease and grace. |
| the possible duties of your desired position to better | | | | Waiting until the last minute to try to pull it all together is |
| relate your skills to the job at hand. | | | | a big mistake often made by headstrong jobseekers |
| Practice some sample job interview questions. It can | | | | who think they can "wing it" during an interview. |
| help you to prepare your responses and answer your | | | | Prepare today with these interview tips and you just |
| interviewer confidently. Preparing in ample time puts | | | | might have a job tomorrow! |