Preparing for a Job Interview Guide

The moment when you are called and invited to a job interview is often your first real contact with an employer. Often, it will be a receptionist and not the interviewer who calls to schedule the interview.

Do keep in mind that although the person who schedules your interview may not have the authority to hire you, normally everyone who has contact with you during the hiring process will be asked to provide input about your suitability for that job, So it's important to take steps to make a great first impression at this stage of your job search.

1. Be sure to get the correct date, time and location of the interview.
Write down all of this information as it is relayed to you and repeat it back to the receptionist to ensure it's correct.

2. Ask for the names of your interviewer(s).
Simply ask, "Who will be interviewing me?" and be sure to note the name(s) of the person or people who will be interviewing you. Bring that information with you to your job interview. Asking for this information is helpful for two reasons:

It will help you to avoid the awkwardness of forgetting the interviewer's name. This happens to almost everyone, particularly in stressful situations; someone introduces themselves, and you immediately forget their name. If you've written the interviewer's name down ahead of time, you'll have it right there in writing, so you won't forget.

Also, this strategy is an easy way to find out whether you will be having a panel interview. If the receptionist mentions only one name, you'll most likely be having a one to one interview. If, however, the receptionist lists the names of three people who will be interviewing you, you'll know that your interview will be with a panel, and you can mentally prepare for that type of interview.

3. Determine approximately how long the interview will be.
Simply say to the receptionist something like, "How long should I set aside for the interview?" That way you can avoid scheduling other obligations too soon after the interview. Also, be sure to set aside more time than you're told. Interviews often run late or go long, so if you're told the interview will be thirty minutes, be sure to clear your schedule for at least an hour.

4. It's fine to ask for the company name if you don't have that information.
This awkward situation can arise when someone calls to invite you to a job interview without mentioning the name of the company. You may hesitate to ask the name of the company out of fear that a question like that will make a bad impression. However, if you have applied to several jobs and you're not sure which one this is, or as is often the case, the employer did not post the company name in the job advertisement, it's fine to say something like, "I don't believe the company name was noted in the job advertisement..." and then simply ask for the name of the company.

Typically in a situation like this, the employer is not neglecting to mention the company name as sone kind of strange test. They are just thinking of things from their perspective and not yours, so they have simply forgotten that you don't know the name of the company.

5. Ask what you should bring to the job interview.
If the receptionist indicates that there is nothing in particular that you should bring, still be sure to come prepared with extra copies of job search documents such as your resume, cover letter, diplomas, job performance reviews, reference letters, and your reference sheet. Also, bring a professional looking portfolio or folder to carry everything, a couple of pens and a pad of paper for making notes.

6. Be friendly, professional and polite.
The person who calls to schedule your interview may not have the authority to hire you, but often everyone you have contact with during the interview process will be asked to provide input on your suitability for the job. Be sure to put your best foot forward at each point of contact with the company.

7. Try to go last, or near the end of the interviews if you're given a choice of several interview times.
The last person interviewed is often the one who is remembered best. Also, interviewers often get better at interviewing for a particular job as they go through several candidates.

Particularly if you will be dealing with someone who doesn't have a lot of experience interviewing job candidates (which is common), the interviewers will ask better questions as they go through the process. For example, they may not ask the first candidate specifically about certain skills that are important, and therefore they may assume that person doesn't have those skills if they are not discussed in the interview. As the interviewers realize this, they will ask about those things in subsequent interviews.

Remember these tips to make a great first impression when you're invited to your next job interview. This is your first real contact with someone from the company. Make sure it is positive!

Part of preparing for a job interview lies in choosing appropriate job interview attire. This decision might seem quite tricky, but if you follow a few simple guidelines, you'll get it right every time.

1. Never underestimate the importance of choosing appropriate job interview attire.
The clothes you wear to a job interview create a big part of the first impression you make on the employer. Although they may not do so consciously, people make judgments about your suitability for a job within the first few seconds of meeting you. It's important to use everything available, including your attire, to ensure that your initial impression is positive.

2. Different job interview attire will be appropriate for different situations.
Unfortunately, there is no one size fits all job interview outfit. What might be perfect for one company might be considered under-dressed in another situation, or over-dressed at still another company. It will be important for you to assess the situation, as well as the nature of the company and the job when choosing your clothes for a job interview.

3. Dress one level above the way you would dress if you were going to work at that company.
Dressing in this way is always the best strategy for choosing job interview attire. Dressing a little better than you would on a typical work day at that company shows the employer respect and indicates that you've made an effort to show yourself in your best light. Taking care to avoid over-dressing shows that you understand the nature of the job and helps the employer to see that you would fit in at the company and in the job that is available.

4. You can ask the receptionist about typical dress when you are invited to the interview, but this information is often limited.
If, for example you are invited to an interview for an office job and you ask about the dress code, there is a very good chance the receptionist will tell you that their office is fairly casual. This information is not very helpful in terms of determining how you should dress for that job interview.

Everyone has a different idea about what constitutes office casual. To one person, office casual may mean a skirt and blouse for women but nylons are not necessary. Another person may feel that is quite formal and may feel that office casual includes jeans and t-shirts. So, while you can ask the question, the answer you get may be limited in terms of helping you choose your job interview attire.

5. If possible, go to the place of business a few days before your interview to see how people are dressed.
Go early in the day when people are arriving for work. Watch staff enter the building and get a sense of what they are wearing. This strategy will give you get a sense of what is considered appropriate attire at that place of business. Of course, you should avoid doing this on a casual Friday!

6. Casual Fridays do not apply when interviewing for a job.
If your job interview falls on a Friday, dress the way you would for a job interview on any other day. Most employers will avoid wearing their casual Friday clothes if they are conducting interviews on that day. If you go in to a job interview on a Friday, and everyone is dressed in jeans and you are wearing a dress or a shirt and tie, don't worry, and don't feel self conscious about being over-dressed, you have done the right thing.

7. Try on all of your clothes at least the day before the interview, or sooner if possible.
Ensure that everything fits well and is in good condition. You don't want to discover that your best pair of pants or the skirt that you haven't worn in months doesn't quite fit properly, or that your best shirt has a strange stain on it on the day of the interview. Try everything on well before your job interview so you'll discover and be able to deal with any problems.

Doing a little bit of company research is a very easy way to help yourself stand out from the competition in your job search. These seven tips will to use company research to get a big jump on your competition.

1. Ideally you should have researched the company before you applied for the job.
When you learn a bit about the company's products and services and typical customer base, you'll be able to edit your resume so that it shows that your skills and experience truly meet the needs of the company. You'll also be able to write a highly targeted cover letter that addresses the company's main needs and concerns. Very few people target their resumes and cover letters in this way, so it's a very easy way to put yourself well ahead of the competition.

2. If you did research the company before your applied for the job, all you have to do at this point is review your research.

3. If you didn't research the company before you applied to the job do it now!
Most people have heard the advice the you must research a company at least before a job interview and ideally before submitting a resume. Very few people actually follow through on this aspect of preparing for a job interview. If you have ever been responsible for hiring new staff yourself, you were probably amazed at how many people come into an interview knowing very little about the company. Conducting company research is not difficult, and it very quickly puts you above your competition in the eyes of employers.

4. Use a variety of sources for your research.
The Internet, libraries, business directories, industry contacts and community employment offices can all provide great leads on information about the companies that interest you.

5. You don't have to memorize a million facts and figures about a company.
Once you get to the job interview stage of your job search, it's important to go in knowing a few things about the company. However, you don't have to memorize endless facts. Be sure you understand the major products and or services the company offers, know who are their primary customers or clients, read the mission statement to get a sense of the company's stated goals and priorities and understand, in general, where the company fits within the industry and in relation to its competitors. If you know these few things about a company, you will know far more than the vast majority of the other people who are competing for the job.

6. It's fine to bring some notes to your interview
Make a few brief, point form notes regarding the most important facts you want to remember about the company, and bring them with you to the job interview. You may have a chance to review your notes before you are call in to the interview. it's fine to refer to note from time to time during an interview, just be sure to avoid reading from notes throughout the entire interview; that becomes a real block to good communication.

Preparation is the key to minimizing job interview stress. If you prepare everything possible at least the day before the interview, you'll be able to focus on the answering interview questions well and avoid worrying about anything else on that day.

1. Collect all of your job search documents.
Gather together and make several copies of any job search documents you want to bring to the job interview. This may include your resume, cover letter, reference pages, performance reviews, reference letters, diplomas and anything other documents the employer may ask to see.

2. Go to the location where the interview will be held, particularly if you have never been there.
Use whatever transportation you will use to get to the interview and try to go at about the same time of day as your job interview is scheduled. If you do this, you'll know what traffic is like at that time of day, how long it will take to get there, where to park, whether you need money for parking meters if you're driving, or which, if any transfers you'll have to make if you are taking public transportation. You don't want to worry about those things on the day of the interview, so work all of that out before your interview.

3. Gather together and try on all of the clothes that you'll wear to the interview.
Ensure that your job interview attire fits well and is in good condition. Discovering a stain on your best pair of pants on the day of the interview is a source of stress that is completely avoidable. Trying on all of your clothes well in advance so you'll have time to fix any problems before the day of the interview will eliminate a potential source of job interview stress.

4. Practice answering frequently asked interview questions.
Require yourself to come up with good answers for the questions that you find most difficult. Sit with a supportive friend or family member and run through a mock interview so you can practice saying your answers to tough job interview questions out loud.

5. Research the company.
Have a look at the company website or promotional materials, or, better yet, if you know someone who works there already, ask that person about the company. Try to get a sense of the company's priorities and, if possible, try to understand what, exactly, the company is looking for in new staff members.

6. Set aside plenty of time for the interview.
If the receptionist told you that the interview would be approximately 30 minutes, set aside at least 60 minute for the interview. Avoid scheduling any important meetings immediately after the interview. If a job interview goes long, that's a good sign. You don't want to be worried about picking up a child from school or getting to an appointment on time while you are in the middle of your interview.

7. Keep things in perspective.
Remember, the employer wants to get this position filled, and he or she is hoping that you will be the right person for the job. You are not going there begging for a job, you are going there help them solve a problem for the employer. That is, if the company is hiring, that means there is an important role that is not currently filled; you are going there to show them that you have all of the skills and experience required to meet their needs.

You will probably never completely eliminate job interview stress, and that's fine. Employers expect a certain amount of nervousness. However, time spent preparing for a job interview in advance is time well spent.

If you prepare everything you can before the interview, you will avoid plenty of distractions and common sources of job interview stress and minimize your feelings of nervousness.