| If you've won an interview for a job, that's cause for | | | | and other useful information |
| celebration in itself. It shows that your prospective | | | | 2. Learn about your interviewer. If you'll be meeting |
| employer considers you to be a viable candidate for | | | | more than one person, try to find out in advance what |
| the position you want. Now it's time for you to brush | | | | each of them does for the company and see if there's |
| up your interview skills and get ready to show your | | | | information about their recent achievements and |
| 'best self' to help you land the job you dream of. | | | | activities; there may be an opportunity to refer to |
| Careful preparation is an essential component of a | | | | some of these details in your interview. Show your |
| polished interview performance to help you outperform | | | | interest and enthusiasm for the job by being |
| the competition. How much do you already know | | | | well-briefed on important issues. |
| about the hiring company? Do you know who will be | | | | 3. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. A practice interview |
| interviewing you? What sort of tough questions could | | | | can help you to anticipate major discussion points and |
| come up—and how would you deal with them? | | | | get experience in dealing with tough questions. And |
| Feeling nervous already? Don't worry, that's energy | | | | don't just focus on the content of your answers: |
| you can turn to your advantage. Doing thorough | | | | interviewers gain a lot of information from non-verbal |
| homework helps to get you ready emotionally as well | | | | cues and body language. If you're practicing with a |
| as intellectually to make your best impression. Here are | | | | friend, ask for feedback on the impact of your delivery |
| four ways to get ready for the challenge of an | | | | and gestures. |
| interview and market yourself effectively. | | | | 4. Be organized. Keep a checklist in the days leading |
| 1. Find out as much as you can about the company | | | | up to the interview date. Savvy interviewees know the |
| you want to work for. Don't be caught out by topics | | | | value of preparing for the unexpected—so make |
| that expose gaps in your understanding of the | | | | sure that you have essential items at the ready, such |
| business or industry. Good background knowledge can | | | | as a pen (that works!) and paper for notes, a spare |
| help you deal with those tricky interview questions that | | | | copy of your resume, and a supply of business cards, |
| require you to 'think on your feet'. You may also | | | | if you use them. It's also useful to have a mental list of |
| discover relevant topics and pressing concerns that | | | | questions that you might want to ask the interviewer. |
| you can research in advance. | | | | The knowledge that you've prepared thoroughly for an |
| - Visit the company website and find out the names | | | | interview contributes to a calm and positive |
| and roles of key personnel | | | | attitude—and don't forget the importance of a |
| - Research the main departments and the products or | | | | good night's sleep beforehand to help you stay |
| services that the company offers | | | | confident and alert! |
| - Do an online search for news items, press releases | | | | |