Interview Day is Here: Five Ways to Help You Prepare

The day you hoped for and dreaded has come. An employer asked you to interview for a job. It is wonderful, exciting and invigorating. It can be frightening as well.

Once you have an interview, how do you make sure it turns into a job? You can improve your chances with a little preparation. Here are five ways to help you prepare:

1. Know details about the position and company
To prepare for the interview make sure you understand the requirements of the position. Learn everything you can about the company and your interviewer. The company website is a good source of information. Find news articles about the company and learn everything you can. Try to anticipate questions the interviewer might ask and practice answering them.

2. Be On Time
Nothing tells an interviewer that you do not care quicker than being late for the interview. They are busy. They blocked time out of their workday to find out if you are a good fit for the position. Being ready for the interview when the interviewer expects you shows that you understand and respect that. If you are late, not only does it show a lack of respect for the interviewer, from their perspective, it almost guarantees that you will regularly be late for work.

3. Proper Dress
It is easy to find lists of interview fashion faux pas. People have interviewed in pajamas, workout clothes and other inappropriate attire. Your resume makes the first impression on an employer, but the second, and arguably most important, is how you look when you show up for the interview. If possible, visit the business and see how employees dress, or give the company a call and ask what their dress code is. For the interview, dress a step above the daily norm. Get a fresh haircut. You want to look clean. For men, hair touching your ears would need to be cleaned up.

4. Be interested and confident  
First, turn off your cell phone or leave it in the car. It is also a good idea to have a pad and pen (or two) with you. Taking notes shows real interest. When you meet the interviewer, give a firm handshake. It is not a strength contest, but it shows you are confident. Posture, eye contact, handshake – all should demonstrate that you are confident. Looking around the room, a weak or too strong of a handshake, or slumping, gives the wrong impression.

5. Always say positive things
No matter how bad it was, never say a bad thing about past employers. It looks childish and petty. The reason you are at the interview is to demonstrate why the new company should hire you.

There is no need to lie. If you don't know an answer to a question, ask them to rephrase it or tell them what you would do in a certain situation if you have never had that experience before. More serious is the fact that if a lie is discovered it could cost you the job – even after you are hired. Careful preparation can help you feel confident during an interview.

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