Interview Preparation And Processes.

1. The key to a successful job interview is a sound presentation. So begin with yourself – a self-assessment. Analyze your:

StrengthsWeaknessesAcademic performanceCareer interestsPersonal goalsWork experiencesSpecial skills

2. Be prepared to express your qualifications in an organized, logical and convincing manner. Know how your qualifications can benefit the employer.

3. Keep in mind that interviewers have been trained to ask questions designed to reveal your strong and weak points. If you complete a self-assessment, you will be better prepared for the questions the interviewer will ask and be better able to direct him or her toward your strengths, rather than your weaknesses.

4. Be prepared to tell an employer why you should be hired. With many applicants for the same job, the pressure is on you to convince the interviewer that, of all those interviewed, you are one of the best candidates. If you are not prepared to tell the employer why you should be hired, then do not expect to be hired.

5. Two cardinal rules for interview preparation:

Be preparedBe positive about yourself

6. To meet these two basic rules you should know what you want to accomplish, know all you can about the employer, and know job interview procedures. Knowing what you want means “be goal oriented.” You should have some basic plan relating to the:

Type of entry-level job you desireTraining program desiredLevel of responsibility you wantWork environmentJob locationSalaryAdvancement and long-term opportunities and how they relate to your long-term goals.

Companies look very closely at an applicant’s career goals. Know the employer. Preparation for a job interview should also involve becoming familiar with the prospective employers. Who are they? What do they do? Know their services, the types of jobs available, training programs and business locations. Read the company's brochures, annual reports, evaluations and visit their website. Investigate job trends and business forecasts for the company and its industry. Find out as much as possible about the company. Information about many employers can be found in the placement office library or on the Internet. Keep current – read Business Week, The Wall Street Journal and other business publications.

Here is some basic information that may be helpful to have about the employer:

Size of the companyType and size of clientsPotential growthJob descriptionsPositions availableType of servicesMentoring programAdvancement potentialTraining programsEmployee benefitsCareer pathsName of recruiter

You do not have to know everything about the company, but you should have enough information to carry on an intelligent conversation. Otherwise the interviewer may wonder about your initiative or sincerity in selecting the company for possible employment. Knowing the job interview structure assures that you will be prepared for what happens next. Surprises are great, but there is nothing as unnerving as being in a situation in which you do not know what to expect next. Don’t let that happen in your job interview. Having a working knowledge of interview structures is the key to being able to relax and be at your best in an otherwise stressful situation.

There are various types of interviews, ranging from the seemingly casual to the highly structured. The course the interview takes depends to a large extent on the personality and philosophy of the interviewer. The typical interview consists of a brief introduction, a review of your background and qualifications, a discussion matching your interests with those of the employer, and a brief wrap-up or close.

7. Your ability to market the product, “YOU” – your education, experience and potential – is in direct proportion to your level of preparation. If you don’t prepare, your interview is probably doomed to fail. Any reasonably good interviewer can immediately spot an ill-prepared job applicant. This need not and certainly should not, happen to you. With the type of competition you will face, it is your responsibility to convince the employer that you are qualified.