Before the Interview

• Find out everything you can about the company.

• Memorize your resume, thinking through your own career and the questions they might ask you.

• Try to anticipate the general questions they will ask and also prepare some questions to ask them.

During the Interview

• Dress professionally and allow extra time to get to the interview. 

• Be courteous to all employees, especially the receptionist. At the interview itself you must be positive about yourself and your abilities.

• Give the right signals. Pay attention to body language by looking attentive, make eye contact and have a strong hand shake.  Sit up straight.

• Be honest.  Your body language, word choice and tone of voice will probably give you away.

• Demonstrate your energy level and a high degree of motivation to do whatever it takes to get the job done. 

• Use words that demonstrate your ability to work well with others and fit in with the team in which you will work.

• Convince the interviewer you are technically qualified to do the job by the questions you ask and by demonstrating your understanding of the technical aspects of the job.

Questions to Ask

• Where are the long-term plans for the company? Expansion plans?

• How is success measured in this position?

• What will be my responsibilities?

• Where will I fit in the overall organizational structure?

• Who will I report to?

• What do you expect me to accomplish in the first six months?

• What is the next step?
   

Things Not to Do in an Interview

• Be unprepared for the interview

• Have a poor handshake

• Say unfavorable things about previous employers or swear

• Have poor communication skills: interrupt, ramble, fail to articulate

• Be aggressive or act in a superior way

• Make excuses for failures