Preparing for an interview

1. Do your research about the company

Never walk into an interview without knowing about the products and services provided by the company. Find out about its corporate culture and future projects so that you can demonstrate how you can contribute to the company as it continues to grow. Have a solid understanding about its mission and values so that you can inquire about the company's aims.

For more information about researching companies, visit Researching Companies on this site.

2. Plan your schedule

Find out the exact location of the office where you will be interviewed and make plans to arrive at least 15 minutes before the interview. If you must, look up bus schedules or plan alternate routes if you anticipate traffic jams. It is impossible to recover from a late arrival at your interview, so avoid being late altogether.

3. Dress appropriately

Dress a notch above your day-to-day work attire. For example, if everyone wears blue jeans to work, arrive in dress slacks and a sport shirt (for men) or in a skirt and a blouse (for women). If applying for a job in an office environment, both men and women should wear a business suit.

4. Rehearse

Prepare a list of interview questions you can expect to be asked at an interview. Know what you are going to say before the interview. To be best prepared, write down your answers, and go over the information several times the day before the interview. Ask a friend or relative to assist as you practice answering those questions in a mock interview.

Click here for a list of sample interview questions: Interview Questions

Despite all the practice, however, always anticipate questions you did not expect to be asked. Such questions help to demonstrate your adaptability and ability to think on the spot.

5. Prepare

Prepare two or three questions to ask the interviewer. The questions should seek some specific information about the responsibilities of the job, future projects, and organizational structure.

Here are some key questions you can ask during an interview:

What are the day-to-day responsibilities of the person in this position?

Why is this position open?

What is the career path for this position in this company?

Where does this position fit into the overall organizational structure of the company?

Are there important changes such as expansion of products or services, which will affect my position?

Are the procedures of the position completely developed or is a person encouraged to contribute innovative new ideas?