You didn't see it coming - at least not this fast. The call
came in last night and you have until Friday to prepare for
that important interview - and today is Tuesday. What to
do!! Don't panic. You can prepare in three days by using
this step-by-step guide. If you don't have three days - you
may have to stay awake a little longer to prepare by
compressing the exercises.
Day One
Key Factors
The first step is to get a copy of the job posting and
study it. Read it first for content, the second time for
words, and the third time for the factors that are needed
to do this job - reading between the lines.
By doing this exercise you will be able to identify the
"Key Factors" needed for the job. For example, if there are
many references to "deadlines and pressure," you will need
good "Time Management Skills." That will become one of the
factors that you will prepare to discuss and how you work
well with deadlines and pressure.
How Do You Fit The Requirements?
Next, do a quick exercise comparing what they are looking
for against what you have to offer. This is a simple
two-column exercise - one side of a sheet of paper list
what "They Want" and the other side of the sheet what "You
Have to Offer." How do you size up? Where are you strong?
Where will you have to stretch?
You will also want to research the company; the industry,
and the competition. The Internet is full of easy-to-get-to
information. Be sure and look at the company's website and
"google" the company to find out any current information.
Day Two
Begin to focus on what you have to offer and how you will
let the interviewer what you have to offer.
Your Personal Statement - You will want to prepare a
personal statement that you will be able to say in two
minutes or less. This personal statement will be used to
answer questions such as: "Tell me about yourself," or
"What experience do you have that qualifies you for this
position?"
Your statement should be focused and include your
education, and experience; your expertise or areas of
knowledge; your strengths; and something about your work
style or work ethic - what other's might say about you.
Lastly, end with something of interest - maybe a hobby that
is job related or something that makes you a good fit for
the position.
Your personal statement is very important because it is a
summary of you and your experiences and what you have to
offer. It is worth spending some time writing it in a
concise manner, trying to include as much as possible so
that the interviewer has a good image of who you are and
what you've done. This statement will also assist you if
you are asked, "Walk me through your resume," because you
will have already flushed out what you want the interviewer
to know about you.
Your Examples - Success Stories.
You may find it helpful if you write out at least five
success stories to answer any questions that ask for
examples (known as behavioral interview questions). Your
stories will give specific examples to answer such
questions as: "Can you tell me about a time when you …," or
"Describe a situation when you…." Look at the key factors
that you identified earlier to focus your stories on what
they are seeking.
These stories should be written with a beginning - where
and when; a middle - what action took place; and an end -
the result. The importance of the story is not the story
itself, but what the interviewer hears from the story about
your past behavior as an indicator of your future behavior.
In other words, if you did it before, you could do it again
- bad or good.
The Most Common Interview Questions
While there is no way of predicting what will be asked in
an interview, you can prepare for general questions often
asked in interviews. Why did you leave/are you leaving your
last position? What do you know about this company? What
are your goals? What are your strengths/weaknesses? Why do
you want to work for this company? What has been your most
significant achievement? How would your last
boss/colleagues describe you? Why should we hire you?
Scripting your answers before the interview will assist you
when you are under pressure during the interview.
Prepare To Ask Questions
At some point in the interview, the interviewer usually
asks you if you have any questions. The wrong answer to
say, "No, I don't have any questions as this point." It is
important for you to ask questions.
You can write a list of questions that are important to
you. Do not ask questions regarding salary, benefits, or
time-off until you are sure that there is some interest in
you. In other words, "sell yourself first."
Some good questions to ask will come as a result of the
things you discuss or the questions asked during the
interview. If, for example, they have been talking a great
deal about a subject such as "customer service." It would
be appropriate for you to ask about customer service. You
might say, "We've been talking about customer service,
could you tell me about the biggest problem in this area?"
If you can get them to tell you about "their" problems or
challenges in this job, you can sell yourself as a
"solution to their problem." Someone who understands the
problem and can come in and make things better.
Day Three
Salary Information and References
One of the most dreaded questions asked in any interview
is, "What is your salary expectation?"
By doing some research on salaries and what the "going
rate" for this type of position is before the interview you
won't be caught "off guard" if they ask you for a number or
a range. You should know your salary needs, based on your
living expenses and your bottom line or walk away point -
when you can't afford to take this job.
This is a good time to put your reference sheet together as
well. Be sure to get permission from your references to use
their names. Make up a sheet of names and contact
information in the event that you are asked for references
during or after the interview. .
Appearance Counts
Make sure your interview outfit is in good order - clean
and wrinkle-free. Remember, you are selling yourself and
first impressions stick. Stay away from trendy clothes
unless you are going for a job in the fashion industry. It
is best to be conservative in everything about you - hair,
jewelry, handbag/briefcase, shoes.
Items To Carry To The Interview
Several copies of your resume on good paper Copy of your
reference sheet Pad of paper to take notes (notes are
optional) Directions/map to the interview site
That's it. You did it! Prepared for the interview in three
days.
Should you have the luxury of more days to prepare, use
that additional time to put more time and practice into the
preparation. Preparation will make a huge difference in
your confidence, and confidence will make a big difference
in the impression you make, and making a good impression
will make you a more serious candidate to consider for a
job offer!
----------------------------------------------------
Carole Martin, America's #1 Interview Expert and Coach, can
give you interviewing tips like no one else can. Get a copy
of her FREE 9-part "Interview Success Tips" report by
visiting Carole on the web at http://www.interviewcoach.com
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