| Sometimes opportunities seem to fall into our laps, and | | | | successes and failures to have on hand in the event |
| if this is the case with a job interview, it should be | | | | of behavioral interview questions. The most pressing |
| embraced as an opportunity - not an obstacle to | | | | areas to have covered mentally before sitting down |
| overcome. Granted, a last-minute job interview is | | | | for the interview are: |
| particularly stressful as you haven't had time to | | | | "Tell me about yourself." - Give a general response |
| prepare as adequately as you might like, but you | | | | with highlights of your career and items of interest to |
| should never turn down an interview if the position is of | | | | the interviewer. You do not have to mention family, |
| interest to you. You've got the interview you want; | | | | former careers or anything else that could become a |
| now you just have to rush to be ready for it. | | | | deterrent to a solid interview. |
| The Standard Attire | | | | Strengths and Weaknesses - Know both strengths |
| When starting a career search, you should have at | | | | and weaknesses. Never tell an interviewer you don't |
| least one outfit in your closet that is ready for a | | | | have any weaknesses. Find one and state how |
| short-notice interview. A dark pants suit, or a blazer | | | | you've overcome it. |
| and tie are good choices for almost any situation, but | | | | Goals - Short-time and long-term goals in your career |
| you must always be sure they are clean and | | | | and possibly your life outside of work. |
| presentable. Don't allow these items to sit in the laundry | | | | Successes - Stories where you've succeeded in any |
| or dry cleaning pile as they should be ready when you | | | | area. |
| need them. | | | | Failures - Stories where you learned a valuable lesson |
| Company Research | | | | or things simply didn't go your way. |
| You might not have time to talk to current or former | | | | Challenges You Overcame - This is a big question in |
| employees of a particular company, but you can scan | | | | behavioral interviews. |
| the company's webpage looking at the mission | | | | Why you want the current position with this particular |
| statement, the services the company provides, the | | | | company - Show you know something unique about |
| information about the company's background and | | | | the company, it's products and it's culture. |
| information about products. Don't allow yourself to get | | | | Most other interview questions stem from similar |
| bogged down in details. Quickly review the job | | | | topics, so knowing these will give you a head start in |
| advertisement, if possible, to remind yourself what | | | | virtually any direction. |
| attributes were listed for the ideal job candidate and | | | | Final Details |
| the company goals and services. This is enough to get | | | | Finally, comb your hair, print a few copies of your |
| you started, you gain glean more insight during the | | | | resume, stick it in your portfolio along with a pen and |
| interview. | | | | be on your way. Practice breathing techniques and |
| Rehearse Standard Responses | | | | mock interview questions on the way to the interview |
| If you aren't sure what sort of interview you'll be | | | | so you arrive warmed up and calm - or at least |
| having, you should rehearse some of the standard | | | | outwardly calm. |
| questions as well as reviewing stories of past | | | | |