10 Things to remember when preparing for an interview

10 Things to remember when preparing for an interview 

1. Spend some time to research the company and your position.  If possible, talk to current or former employees about their experiences and impressions of the company.  Research the company's products and services, industry, target market, annual sales, geographic location(s), structure, history, officers, and any other key information.  Are there any new trends in the industry?

2. Identify the company's competitors and do some basic research on how they differ (either positively or negatively)

3. Prepare specific examples of how your skills and experience make you a strong fit for the organization’s needs.  Practice answering directed questions about your experience, education, and skills and how they relate to the position at hand. .  

4. Identify your strengths and weaknesses.  Be prepared to talk about your weaknesses, but find a way to frame them positively. For example, “My biggest weakness is that I am a perfectionist.  It may take me a little extra time to get a project done to my satisfaction, but you can be guaranteed that the work will pass even the most stringent review, be 100% accurate, and that no detail will be overlooked.”

5. Prepare several intelligent questions about the company and position that will demonstrate your knowledge of the company.

6. Contact the company to confirm the date and time of your interview.  Also confirm the name and title of the individual(s) you will be meeting.

7. Get directions to the interview site.  Be sure to double check the directions using a map. This will ensure that you know the way and also give you an approximate travel time – don’t forget to allow for extra time for rush hour!

8. Print off a few extra copies of your CV and cover letter. Even if the interviewer has a copy of their own, it’s always a good idea to have a backup copy.  This is also helpful if you end up interviewing with multiple individuals, since the head interviewer may be the only person with a copy of your CV.

9. Get a good night’s sleep! Your brain needs fuel to run at peak performance and if there is ever a day you needed 110% from your brain, it’s today.  


10.Smile and shake everyone’s hand when you are meeting for the first time - you should also smile and shake hands when the interview concludes.