Preparing For Your Interview

Here's Wikipedia's take on being prepared for a Job Interview.

(Several facets of Wikipedia's information are covered in my other lenses!)

"It is very important to be well prepared for an interview. According to the University of Delaware's career center, a common reason employers give for not hiring an applicant is the inability of the applicant to fully explain the contents of his or her résumé. Therefore it is paramount to be able to discuss in detail every item listed on one's resume, and if possible to give examples when appropriate. It is also wise to research the company before the interview. To avoid being nervous, the applicant should practice answering difficult questions. Good sources of interview questions can be found by searching the Internet."

Here's what's fantastic - you've started searching the internet and you've now found "good sources of interview questions" within my other lenses!! In addition you've also found a great resource for getting yourself prepared.

You've hit the bulls eye!!!

Now let's get started....

(To find this information go to Wikipedia and do a search for "Job Interview", then look under "Preparation".)

Research the company you're interviewing with.

Don't just look at their website...read the entire website. Reading the website can give you an idea of how their chain of command is setup. Are they large enough to have a CEO, CFO, CIO, CTO, COO, and so on.

You can also learn about; how many remote offices they have, are they national, do they serve cheeseburgers on the 2nd Sunday of every 3rd leap year. Sounds funny, but if you like cheeseburgers you're probably thinking "This could be a great company!"

You'd be amazed at how much information will be on a good website. Print the entire website and bring it with you. Make notes on the website. Highlight specific sections and write bubble comments on the side. Even if they can't read what you've written, it shows attentiveness to the company and that you're prepared for anything.

It's simple, but it's also effective!

A.) For about $5-20.00 you can pick up a decent looking Steno Pad with a surrounding cover that opens up (in a bi-fold action). For examples on Portfolios or Padfolios to buy see "Portfolios for your Interview" section below.

If possible your Portfolio or Padfoilio should have a button or latch to keep it closed. At a minimum it needs to have a slot for papers on the opposite side of the steno pad. The slot for papers and the ability to snap the cover shut will keep your papers from flying out while walking around.

You don't need something extravagant. You need something that looks good and is functional. I have the same Portfolio I started with 14 years ago. At the time I paid $3.99 for it at Longs Drugs. If I had to go back and do it again I'd go with the "At-A-Glance Outlink Padfolio" shown below in "Portfolios for your Interview".

B.) The slot for papers is where you keep: Their printed website with your handwritten comments, 3-5 copies of your resume certifications, references, letters of recommendation, and any other pertinent typed documentation (remember that you need to keep the originals of all your paperwork - bring copies only if possible).

C.) You need your own Pen(s) - make sure they write well and won't smear or smudge. If you're taking notes with a pen that smears, when you put your arm down on your pad you'll end up with pen marks up and down your arm. (I've seen it happen.) I recommend one pen in your Portfolio and if possible a backup in your pocket.

D.) You need good breath - carry mints with you - not gum. Gum can make you sound like a cow. In a pinch a mint can be eaten or swallowed quickly. Tic-Tacs work great because you can swallow them in a half second. DON'T carry the entire box of Tic-Tacs in your pocket. You'll sound like a candy machine that's walking down the hallway. Take 6-10 of them out and keep them in an accessible pocket. Also, take noisy house keys out and leave them in the car. You only need the basics in the interview; everything else should stay in the car.

E.) Chapstick is also good for interviews. If you find your mouth dry your lips may stick to your teeth which can make you look silly when talking. One Tic-Tac to stimulate your saliva and some chapstick will take care of that! (Don't expect to have ready access to water.)

F.) The Best Job Interview Questions Ever - hand written on the steno pad with adequate spacing between each question to take notes.

When you show up for your interview, arrive at least 30 minutes early. Visit both maps.google.com and maps.live.com to get directions. Both websites have a very cool feature called a Hybrid or Birdseye map - USE IT!

The picture to the right is an example of a Birds Eye View. Notice that you can see the entrances to the parking lot, nearly every entry/exit for each of the buildings, the parking situation, and so on. If you figure out what building you're interviewing in you'll know where to park and where to enter. A fantastic savings of time!!! (The picture will be larger when you view it at maps.google.com or maps.live.com.)

Take a look at the surrounding areas from the hybrid view. You want to:

1.) Try to locate the entrance
2.) Determine how the building is setup
3.) What's the parking situation look like
4.) What fast food restaurants are in the neighborhood

Another cool feature is the ability to do a "Street View". If it's an established neighborhood or business park, chances Google Maps have the "Street View". Utilizing the street view literally gives you a 360 degree pan of the street. It's as if you were standing smack dab in the middle of the street looking around. All this is yours without the mess of dodging oncoming traffic!

If the street view is available you can probably see the front of the building. Besides just being cool, if you can determine where you need to go before you even get there, its worth it's weight in gold!

Some of you may think arriving 30 minutes early is too early.

However, you need that time.

It's important that you prepare yourself mentally, physically and spiritually before your interview.

Be sure to get there early!!

Before you pull into the parking lot, stop by a Fast Food restaurant. Get yourself a 99 cent item that contains protein and a small soda (or even a child size soda). The protein will keep you from being hungry during the interview, but without feeling full. In addition protein is energy for the brain and will help you keep your heightened adrenaline in check.

I wouldn't recommend slamming the soda. Drink it slowly or only drink a quarter of it prior to walking in. The small dose of sugar will push you past any lag you might experience waiting for the protein to kick in or your interview to start.

You don't want to over caffeinate. Remember, your adrenaline will be running high, regardless of how relaxed you think you are. Having your adrenaline pumping is a good thing, it'll sharpen your reflexes and you mind. However, it's important not to be over caffeinated. If you're over caffeinated your brain will process thoughts faster then your mouth can spit out the words. The result is you'll either sound rushed or scattered. If you're rushed or scattered you'll cause anxiety to the individuals interviewing you!

When you arrive, find a quiet area in the parking lot and eat your protein "snack" and drink your soda. During your "snack time" reflect on your approach, and how you're going to move forward. Read through your paperwork and review the website information again. (Be careful and keep your paperwork clean!)

(TIP: Before you walk into your interview use dental floss or a toothpick to clean your teeth!)

You're only minutes away from walking into your interview. Your anxiety is heightening...now it's time to let someone else handle the interview.

Understand that it doesn't matter what your belief system is, God is with you.

Recline the car seat, close your eyes....and pray. Give yourself 5 minutes of prayer.

Ask for help in every way - patience, faith, protection, sincerity, humility, dignity, strength, language, clear thought, for help with everything.

He's there - so give him the interview.

(Hopefully you let your family know about your interview in advance. If so they're already praying for you. Now you're praying and your family is praying - life is good!

Now open your eyes....you've handed everything to God.

The interview is in God's hands. It's time to leave everything else behind and clear you mind.

Secretly you know you still have 'honey-do' lists, grocery shopping to do and you need gas in the car. Face the facts, it'll all be there when the interview is over...so why think about it during the interview. Why cloud your mind with unnecessary junk.

You may be asking why it's necessary to clear you mind. Just because you've handed over the interview to God doesn't mean you can go into the interview focused on other things....it's not a "Get out of Interview Free Pass".

With your seat reclined, put on your favorite inspirational song or turn the radio up a little. Get yourself into the music and let everything slide away. Clear your mind of all stresses.

Focus on your breathing. Breathe deep long breaths. When our children are being children or one of us happens to be frantically rushing around, we stop them and say....

"Stop and breathe! Breathe...breathe good air in, bad air out....good air in, bad air out..."

You'd be amazed at how something as simple as breathing can do so much for the mind and body.

Good breathing and clearing your mind will lower your anxiety and help give you a clear train of though. Once you've let it all go move your car to a closer parking spot, turn off your car and walk into your interview 12-15 min early.

When you walk in mentally, physically and spiritually prepared, how tough will it be to smile and feel good about your interview...

....it won't be, it'll be easy.

Printout of company website

Portfolio / Padfolio with lined paper

References - nicely typed/printed

3 Copies of your resume

Tic-Tacs or Mints

Directions - maps.google.com or maps.live.com

Overhead (Birdseye view) of parking lot / building

Two Pens - 1 goes in your Portfolio, the other in your pocket

Letters of Recommendation - go in your Portfolio pocket

Certifications - helpful to have in your Portfolio

Chapstick

Toothpicks or Dental Floss

Selection of music for mental preparation

A few dollars for the fast food restaurant

The 6 Best Interview Questions - handwritten on the steno pad

This may seem a little overwhelming to some. However, if you put these thoughts into practice you'll see how easy it really is. The extra few minutes of careful preparation and commitment to the task at hand will save you hours of interviewing time.

Getting a new job is a life changing experience.

Just a few of the emotions you'll experience while finding a job are turmoil, suspense, hope, elation and frustration. Then you have new experiences that emerge when you start your new job. To top it off, your friends and family share these up's and downs with you.

Take the pressure off of yourself by planning ahead. With a little preparation you can hit the interview armed with all the information you need to get the job you want. Give yourself the best opportunity to succeed and get the job you've always wanted!

That's my hope and prayer for you...

Lens #4 out of the 8 part series is Pre-Interview Phone Call

Lens #6 out of the 8 part series is The Best Job Interview Questions.

Lens #7 out of the 8 part series is Dress for Success in your interview.

Lens #8 out of the 8 part series is Post Interview Follow-Up.