Preparations that You Can Do Before an Interview

Prepare questions to ask. Asking questions is as important as answering them. Prepare questions for the interviewer ahead of time. Relate your questions with information you already know about the company. Always have one more question up your sleeve in case the interviewer keeps encouraging you to ask more. Again, these are sample questions that interviewers are often asked. Check the library for books with more suggestions. For example:

• Describe what a typical day would be like in this position.
• What would your employees say about this company? Your management style?
• How do you motivate your employees?
• Why are you filling this position?
• How often have you had to fill this position?
• Do you value training and education?
• Where do you see the company in five years?
• Do you have an employee wellness program?
• How quickly does one move on to more responsibility in this position?
• How much autonomy would a candidate have in this position? ,
• Who would I report to?
• Are your employees unionized?
• How would you describe an ideal candidate for this position?
• How many hours does the average employee put in to get the job done?
• If advancement requires further education, will the company pay for it?
• Does this position require that I travel? If so, how much?
• Do you support organizations in the community?
• What keeps this company ahead of the competition?
• Tell me what type of person would be successful in this position.

Be Confident, The first face-to-face impression is very important. You should begin with a firm handshake and a ready smile. Feel confident about the way you have prepared for this interview. If you are concerned about how you may come across, try out your approach on friends or family members. What are their impressions of you? Confidence is not only about how you speak or what you say about yourself; it is also about what your body language is saying, your enthusiasm, and your attitude.
How you are perceived begins the moment you walk into the reception area. Make sure you smile and say hello. Watch your posture when you are waiting for the interviewer- do not slouch, chew gum, smoke, or fix your hair. Interviews make everyone a little nervous. That's natural.



Use this checklist to see if you project confidence:

NONVERBALS

• Body language/gestures - Watch your posture when you are at your interview-sit comfortably, but don't slouch. If you have the option, choose the chair in the room that has a straight back instead of one that looks really comfortable. Make sure you are not fidgeting with your hands or feet.
• Eye Contact - You should maintain eye contact without staring at the interviewer. Job applicants who do not maintain eye contact give the impression they are hiding something or lack confidence. You could also come across as lacking interest in what the interviewer is saying.
• Alertness - Be alert during the interview. Make sure you have eaten well and have gotten plenty of rest. Pay attention to what the interviewer is saying-don't get so caught up in how the interview is going that you stop listening to what is being said.

VERBALS

• Voice - Speak in a clear and confident manner. Show genuine enthusiasm! Make sure to avoid "umm's", "uh's" or "and's" repeatedly when you talk. Speak in an animated tone-be expressive, but don't overdo it. Try not to speak too quickly or too slowly.
• Vocabulary - It is impressive if, during the interview, you can use terminology common to the industry. There are "buzz words" that surface in the business world such as "quality," "empower," or "customer satisfaction." Using these words make you seem on top of what is going on in the business world. Read articles to find out what the buzz words are in your chosen field.
• Positive Language - Speak positively when you are answering questions, especially concerning your previous employers (even if you hated your work!). If the interviewer asks you to name some of your weaknesses, turn your answer around to a positive statement. For instance, "Because I'm a perfectionist, I tend to want to do things myself. I have learned through team projects at school that getting the input of others not only made the project better, but also more enjoyable."