Everyone wants a job. You will not be the only one who will be answering the job posting. You will have to interview just like anyone else.

The employment interview is one of the most important events in your life, because that one-hour spent with the interviewer may determine the entire future course of your working life.

Most of the job hunters will come to the interview without the vaguest idea of who the company is, what they do, or even what they themselves are going to say. Other candidates will create a negative impression by acting too casual. The other extreme are those that are in such a state that they seem to be in a stage of nervous fright.

So who will get the job? It’s the people who present themselves in an organized and enthusiastic manner who get the jobs. In other words, you will because you will come prepared.

It only makes good sense to come prepared for what is an important meeting for you. In the world of sports, athletes spend the time before a big game checking their equipment, visualizing success, and mentally going over their game plan. The time you spend before a job interview might not be as intense, but preparation can still mean the difference between victory (getting the job) and defeat (back to the search).

This is the time for positive thinking and constructive planning. You want to get to work, well; this will help you get the position sooner.

Now that we realize that preparation is the first step towards getting that job, how do you go about preparing and what does that mean?

STEP 1:

Double check that you know the date, exact time, and location of the interview. Make sure you know the directions to the interview site and verify either with a map or an Internet map search.

STEP 2:

Make sure you know the persons’ name and job title that you are to speak with.

STEP 3:

Do some research on the company interviewing you. It would be helpful to know how old the company is, the size of the company, what type of work it specializes in, and are there any unique or special projects they are involved with now or in the past?

There are a number of places you can get this information.

• The company itself might have brochures
• Another source would be the Internet; just go to a search engine and it can provide you with information.
• The public library will have publications that will give you information on the company you are interested in.
• And don’t forget your circle of friends and relatives, they might have valuable information on the company or they might even have dealings with the company in the past.

STEP 4:

Prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer. It can reflect poorly on you if at the end of the interview, you are asked if you have any questions, and your response is “nope”, I think you answered them all”. Asking questions not only shows that you are interested in the job, but it tells the interviewer you thought about this before you walked in the door.

Some probing questions you might ask:

• A description of the position?
• Reason the position is open?
• Any advanced training programs available?
• What are the normal work hours?
• Is overtime available?
• What is the pay scale?
• Are their any benefits?
• Is there a possibility of advancement?
• What is the next step in the hiring process?

STEP 5:

Plan your departure time. Give yourself a 20-30 minute leeway in case of traffic, weather or car trouble. Time your route so you show up at least 10 minutes early.

STEP 6:

Prepare the materials you will need to take with you to the interview.

Conclusion

Avoiding certain behaviors during a job interview is just as important as showcasing your strengths. Here's a conclusion statement highlighting what not to do during an interview:

We want to emphasize the importance of maintaining professionalism and avoiding common pitfalls during the interview process. It's crucial to refrain from speaking negatively about past employers, exaggerating qualifications, or being overly casual in demeanor. Additionally, demonstrating poor communication skills or failing to research the company can hinder your chances of success. I am committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and integrity in every interaction, and I appreciate the opportunity to demonstrate this during our conversation. Thank you for your time and consideration.