You’ve researched your industry, contacted your network, sent out resumes and cover letters and someone has contacted you for an interview. Anytime you apply for a job, keep the description. Many times a job that is posted online will be removed once the job is closed and if you are contacted you need that information to prepare for your interview. Cutting and pasting it to a word document works perfectly.

Research

Learn everything you possibly can about the company, including the mission, values, what projects it may currently be involved in, who may be its competitors, what its strengths are, etc.

Prepare

Write down each job qualification and jot down under it how your experience matches that requirement. For interview questions that the interviewer could ask and those you should ask the interviewer, visit sites like www.jobinterviewquestions.org or your school’s career and counseling center, which can also help you prepare with a mock interview.

Practice

More than likely your interview will begin with the interviewer asking you to tell them about yourself. This is not the time to tell them about your hobbies, marital status, or favorite food. They want to know what experiences and accomplishments make you a good fit for the company and the job. This may vary for different jobs.

You may also be asked a question that begins with “tell me about a time when…, this is a behavioral question which tells the interviewer about your past performance. Use the STAR Method to answer these questions. S- Situation. Tell the interviewer about the situation. Just a brief synopsis. T- Task. Talk about what you were required to do. What was the challenge? A – Action. What action did you take to solve the problem? R – Result. What was the outcome of the action you took?

Take time to prepare and practice the answers to interview questions. Ask one of your friends to do a mock interview with you, if you are not able to visit your career and counseling center.

Remember an interview is not only the time for the company to get to know you. It’s also an opportunity for you to make sure the company is a good fit for you. Be prepared to ask questions. (www.jobinterviewquestions.org)

Dress the Part

In an interview, you not only want to make an impression by showing how knowledgeable you are about the company and the industry, you also want to make sure your appearance is impressive. There may be varying opinions out there, but regardless of the job being with a temporary agency, in a factory, in construction, or in an office, put your best foot forward; jeans are not an option.

Ladies - A blue, black, or dark gray skirt or pant suit is suggested. If you are interviewing at a more casual place like a construction company or maybe a factory, wear a nice pair of slacks or a skirt. Make sure your clothing is not too tight or too short. Pair your suit with a crisp white shirt. The heels on your shoes should be moderate (3 inches), with a closed toe. Regardless of if you are wearing a skirt or pant suit, wear stockings, it gives a more professional presentation. Apply your makeup lightly and your hair should be styled in a neat and conservative (plain) way.

Men - A blue, black, or dark gray pant suit is suggested. If you are interviewing at a more casual place like a construction company or a factory, wear a nice pair of slacks and a tie. Pair your suit or slacks with a crisp white shirt. Your shoes should be polished or free of dust. If you have facial hair make sure it’s trimmed and neat; your haircut should also be neatly styled. If you have an earring, it should be removed.

Follow Up

After your interview make sure to follow up by sending a thank-you letter. Some people think that thank-you letters are passé’, but set yourself apart from the crowd and send one within 24-hours of the interview.

A thank-you letter gives you another opportunity to grab the interviewer’s attention, by thanking them for the interview, reminding them about your interest in the position, what you all spoke about, and how you would benefit the company.

The letter should be written on the same paper and in the same font as your resume. It should also mimic the heading shown on your resume and cover letter. You can also use a card, but nothing cutesy, a plain white or ivory card will do.