Preparing for the Interview

Preparing effectively for any interview involves thorough planning. The list of things to do includes:

1. Research the company by utilizing the internet, local library, and industry contacts.
2. Prepare a list of accomplishment stories that highlight your ability to achieve results. Put them in outline form and have them with you in the interview. Tie them directly to the employer's key requirements. These stories are most effective when the are told in this format:
   • A brief description of a situation or challenge you faced
   • Your analysis of that situation-how you decided to approach the problem
   • Your specific actions
   • The positive payoff, which should be expressed in quantitative term (such as dollars saved, additional sales, increased productivity, etc.)
3. Make a list of questions to ask the employer, such as:
   • Why is this position available?
   • What specific results will you expect from me?
   • What obstacles must be overcome for me to succeed in this position?
   • How will my performance be evaluated?
   • If I am successful here, what opportunities are there for growth in the next 12 months? Two years? Five years?
   • What growth do you anticipate for your organization in the next 12 months?
   • What training programs will be available to me?

Also learn about Handling the Interview.