Top Eight Tips to Prepare for a Job Interview

For last 10 years or so, I’ve had the opportunity to interview a lot of young, mostly talented, graduates and some seasoned professionals. To be honest, I have learned a great deal from them — but I feel that I can also offer few tips to help these aspiring future professionals. I hope it helps.

1. KNOW YOUR RESUME and develop specific examples to support it. Be able to speak about real impact you had in your university project or for your present or past company, or how your skills, actions, and attitude made your group/company/department/ better.
2. KNOW THE JOB. For God sake, at-least read the job description. Be prepared to share how you have used or developed those skills to the benefit of your previous company / project and your career.
3. KNOW YOUR PROGRESS. I know it’s ambitious but practice for the interview. If possible, take video to analyze both your strengths and areas for improvement — or simply practice in front of a mirror. Check your eye contact, posture, hand movement and smile.
4. KNOW THE ORGANIZATION with which you will be interviewing, the person interviewing you, and your new potential direct supervisor. LinkedIn was invented for you to be better at work — not for sharing Facebook or Insta crap. Use LinkedIn to see if you have any personal connections or shared interest. Making an emotional, yet professional, connection during the job interview can significantly improve your chances of landing the job offer.
5. KNOW YOUR QUESTIONS. Every interview allows you to ask questions as well. It’s not a surprise news — so come prepared. These questions should contain your must-haves, such as telecommuting flexibility or training and professional development opportunities with the organization.
6. KNOW THE PLACE. Make the practice trip to the interview place, if possible, at the same time of day you will be traveling for the interview. Alternatively, on the day of interview, allow for double the travel time your GPS indicates. Better to sit in your car or in the lobby and do some last-minute preparations than get to the interview late.
7. KNOW YOUR LOOKS. There is nothing worse than rushing to get ready for an interview in the morning and realizing your only appropriate outfit has a stain in the middle of it. After all, it’s your date with the future. Be prepared.
8. KNOW THE INSIDER. This works the best. See who you know at the place where you are going for the interview. They’ll be able to give you an insider’s view of what the culture is like and what you should emphasize during your interview. Best possibility, depending on their position, they may also be able to advocate for you internally.

Good luck! Be Successful.