References are nearly always required on application forms, however, so you should have a list of your references ready. Each reference should include the person's name, title, name of organization, address, and phone number. You might want to type up your list of references and make four or five copies. That way, if it seems appropriate, you can give a copy to an employer during an interview. Since employers rarely ask for references during interviews, you'll still have most of your copies left when you get your next job, but at least you'll be prepared.
References usually go into one of two categories-personal or professional. Although it is generally assumed by employers that personal references will say nice things about you, they are still often contacted. Therefore, choose your references carefully. John may say great things about you, but if he speaks in a monotone, gets easily flustered, and often lacks tact, you must choose someone else. Personal references should be those who know you well or have observed you for several years. It doesn't help your cause when someone says, "I don't know her well, but..." Use influential people as references only if they can speak firsthand about you and know you well enough to answer personal questions about you.
Your most important references are former bosses. Although companies are increasingly refusing to provide more than dates of employment-due to a rash of defamation of character suits in the 80s-those who really want information can usually get former bosses to reveal something. So while company policy may require your former boss to refer such calls to personnel, your boss may still supply information-good or bad.
With former bosses that you had good to satisfactory relationships with, you should at least call them and tell them that they may get calls from prospective employers. Explain what you have been up to since you worked together and thank the person for any positive contributions the person made to your career or personal growth. Find something positive to discuss, even if overall, it was not a good experience for you.
Don't be afraid to take an active, directive approach with your references. Give them a copy of your resume. Review it with them so there won't be any discrepancies between what they say about you and what you say about yourself. And don't give out your list of references until a company requests them. Usually companies will call references only when you are one of the top three choices. Still, you don't want your references called any more often than necessary. Also, keep your references updated on your job search. You would hate to find out that one of your references said, "Hasn't he found a job yet?"
Where interviewing is concerned, there is no substitute for preparation and practice. Fortunately for you, most people spend little time preparing for interviews. They will get a good night's sleep, polish their shoes, take a shower, and hope for the best. Their attitude is, "Since I don't know what the interviewer will ask, I'll just give it my best shot." But you can anticipate and prepare for the questions that will be asked in an interview. There are approximately 75 basic questions, all others being variations of these. Then there are the technical questions that can be asked of people in your field. These too can be predicted. Questions will also arise from information you've provided in your resume, particularly your accomplishments.
To prepare your responses, simply jot down the points you want to make. Do not try to develop word-for-word responses. That would require memorization which is not recommended-if you forget a point during an interview, you could become flustered and completely blow the response. Giving memorized answers can also make you seem mechanical. Instead of memorizing, you should practice your responses several times. This will help you feel confident and relaxed. Say your answers slightly differently each time so they have a ring of spontaneity.
Thorough preparation takes time. Preparing and practicing your responses to the 75 basic questions, the 5-8 technical questions you suspect could be asked, and the 8-10 questions likely to come off your resume, might require 10-15 hours. The effort spent, however, will pay big dividends. Be yourself, be your best.
It is important, for example, to show enthusiasm during an interview. However, you may not be a naturally enthusiastic person. During an interview then, you must consciously turn up the enthusiasm a notch or two. You are still being you, but you are being the best you are capable of. You should not try to raise your level of enthusiasm four or five notches above what is natural for you. That would be asking too much and would be self-defeating.
Follow-up phone calls may be appropriate. Do not even consider a follow-up phone call unless you've already sent a thank-you note. A follow-up call can be made to express interest and thanks, or to clarify a point. You can come right out and say, "I just wanted you to know how interested I am in the position." Because you may be interrupting the person, keep it short. You can also ask about the status of the position, but don't do this unless it is past the date when you were told a decision would be made.
