| You have an interview. Great, as that is the first step | | | | research. Also incorporate your research in your |
| in landing yourself a job. | | | | answers. For instance a basic question - Why do you |
| What is your prospective employer looking for? | | | | want to work for this company? Answer: Well I have |
| Your prospective employer is looking for someone | | | | always been keen to work for a company that is on |
| who can do the job. So qualifications and experience | | | | the cutting edge of technology. I value the fact that |
| are important. But it does not end there. The employer | | | | you have managed to eliminate the competition by |
| also wants someone who they would feel | | | | craving out a blue ocean strategy for yourself and |
| comfortable working with and who fits in with the | | | | creating your own niche. It shows strategic planning |
| general organizational behaviour and structure of the | | | | which is vital for company growth and I want to pro |
| company. But there will certainly be more than one | | | | actively participate in achieving and maintaining that |
| interviewee who fits the bill. So how do you | | | | vision. |
| differentiate yourself from the crowd or in this case | | | | Please do not ask answers. Ask a question around |
| from the other interviewees? Research is a good | | | | the information you know and not what is blatantly |
| starting point? And if you are reading this article then I | | | | obvious if you read the annual report etc. unless |
| guess you are interested in differentiating yourself | | | | perhaps you had a query about the information in |
| from the crowd and getting the job. | | | | there. |
| Research for an interview | | | | Dressing for an interview |
| Finding out as much about your prospective employer | | | | While research is important before you even have an |
| can only help you in an interview. Not to mention it | | | | opportunity to impress your interviewers with your |
| would show that you are a forward planner and can | | | | knowledge and experience, first you must impress |
| take the initiative. Call up the company, say that you | | | | them by looking the part. Your interview begins the |
| have an interview and ask for an annual report, | | | | moment you enter that room. What you wear to an |
| newsletter and any printed promotional material about | | | | interview is like an aural in a piano exam which earns |
| the company that will give information about the | | | | you 10 solid marks. So if your execution of the music |
| company. Find out who will be interviewing you. Is it a | | | | does not go according to plan at least you scored |
| panel of interviewers or a single person? Get their | | | | maximum points on the not so hard stuff. Your mode |
| names and position if you can. | | | | of dress gives the interviewers peace of mind that this |
| If you already know someone who works at that | | | | is a serious candidate for the job and can determine |
| company or organization then find out as much as you | | | | whether you spend 10 minutes or 20 minutes being |
| can about the company and the people who would be | | | | interviewed. So get it right and keep your dress code |
| interviewing you. | | | | neat, classical and well coordinated. |
| Try to incorporate this knowledge into your interview | | | | This may sound basic but please remember to turn off |
| by asking relevant questions that show you have done | | | | your mobile phone before going into the interview. |