PLAN AHEAD. Do your homework on the company and the position you are looking to fill if possible. Employers are looking to hire someone who knows about their company.
ROLE PLAY. Once you have done the research on the company run through a scenario of what you think the interview may be like. Write down answers to questions you think your potential employer may ask and practice how you would articulate the response.
BE PREPARED. Take extra copies of your resume with you and have your reference on hand. You may be asked to fill out a formal application when you get to the interview, so make sure you are prepared with all the information you may need.
BE EARLY. Your punctuation speaks volumes.
EYE CONTACT. Always greet the interviewer with a hand shake and be sure to maintain good eye contact during your interview. This showcases your interest in the position.
BE POSITIVE. Smile, be polite and try to relax. You should also avoid negative comments concerning previous employers.
ADAPT. Planning ahead and role play are great ways to prepare for an interview, but make sure you still listen and adapt to the situation. Be sensitive to the style of the interviewer.
RELATE. Try to relate all your answer to the interviewer and his or her company.
ENCOURAGE. Encourage the interviewer to share information and insights about his or her company. you should also be prepared to ask question at the end of the interview encouraging more interaction between you and the interviewer.
SHOW GRATITUDE. You should send the interviewer a thank you note or email no more than 48 hours after your interview. This shows that you still have a genuine interest in the company and appreciate the time they took to interview you.
