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Research, Rehearse & Respond: Preparing for an Interview

Contributed by Eva Benoit 

You’ve put together a concise but comprehensive resume, gone through the application process, and garnered interest from several employers. One of them emails wanting to interview you later in the week so you set up the appointment, write down its date and time, and start preparing for a meeting that could land you the kind of position you’ve always coveted. But first, you’ve got some homework to do. Being well-prepared for an interview is essential to impressing a hiring manager. It’s your opportunity to show you’re a polished, professional and intelligent candidate who understands what it takes to succeed.

Do your Research
It’s very difficult to discuss a job, a company or be ready to ask intelligent questions without doing some research. The first place you’ll turn is the internet, and resources such as CareerSearch or Vault for company profiles and competitive market information. Knowing a company’s history, strengths and challenges is important, because the interviewer is likely to ask what you know about them and how your strengths could help the organization grow.

Spend plenty of time on their website so you’re fully conversant about their business niche and all the services they provide. Pay attention to updates and any news stories about recent developments and projected plans so you have a good picture of where they’re headed. Review any stories (from news organizations or business publications) to get a third-party perspective on the company and how it’s viewed in the business community.

Interview Prep
Compare your background and qualifications to the job description to understand how the job fits within the company and how they might be thinking about how and where to apply your skills. Think through the interview, consider the kinds of questions you’ll likely face, and practice your responses. Interviewers have different styles; some prefer a conversational exchange of information, while others are more inquisitorial, probing for inconsistencies and observing closely how you react under pressure.

Appearance really does matter, so take care to be well-groomed and well-dressed for the occasion. Wear appropriate business attire and emphasize neutral, conservative colors. Some hiring managers zero in on very specific aspects of your appearance, believing things like ragged, dirty fingernails or scuffed and dirty shoes are indications of carelessness or indifference, so pay close attention to details. If they insist you dress “business casual,” make sure your outfit is a nice-looking, up-scale business casual.

Your Online Profile
Most businesses these days check out a prospective employee’s social media profile to get a feel for the kind of person they are, so spend some time reviewing your Facebook page, LinkedIn profile, and more. Make sure there are plenty of blog entries and pieces that highlight activities such as volunteerism or notable achievements, or seek out a reputation management company if you need help communicating your strong suits.

Questions
It’s always important to come to an interview armed with a ready supply of well-researched questions for the interviewer. Asking you what questions you have is their way of gauging both your interest and preparedness, qualities that bear directly on how successful you’re likely to be in the position. Your online research will come in very handy here. Always come with a few questions, and never say you have no questions for them.

Succeeding in an interview is largely a matter of preparation, so do plenty of advanced research. Practice responses to difficult questions, and always have intelligent, well-informed questions to ask.

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About The Author:
About 6 years ago, Eva Benoit left her job as an office manager to pursue being a life, career, and overall wellness coach.

*Photo courtesy of pixabay.com