Preparing for the Job Interview
Research as much as you can about the company - products, services, markets, competitors, trends and current activities. Prepare good questions to ask at the interview. Assemble hard evidence (make sure it's clear and concise) of what you've achieved in the past - proof will put you ahead of those who merely talk about it
Make sure your resume/cv is up to date, looking very good and even if already supplied to the interviewer, take three
copies with you. Ensure you have two or three really good reputable and relevant
references. Adopt an enthusiastic, alert, positive mind-set. According to
research these are some of the most sought after traits in candidates.
Arrive at least 10 minutes before your interview. The extra minutes will also give time to fill out any forms or applications that might be required. Turn off your cell phone and don't assume that whoever greets you is the receptionist. Know the interviewer's name and use it during the interview
What to Bring to an Interview
-Exam pad or pad holder with a copy of your resume and a list of references on quality paper
-Samples of previous work (if relevant)
-Notepad, Pen
-Drivers License or ID Book
-Driving Directions and Maps
-Interviewer contact name and phone number
-A Copy of the Company's Website Materials- just a few pages from the site, such as the "About Us", "Contact Us", "History/Background", and "Mission Statement/Philosophy" sections
Mental Preparation
Define in detail how you want to perform in the interview: Describe to yourself in words the way you want to be. How would you look and sound to a neutral observer? e.g. I see myself in an interview room sitting by a desk. I look relaxed, and I am smiling, alert and energetic. I am paying close attention to the other people in the room. My posture is upright and I am making conversation easily and effortlessly. I exude confidence.
Mentally rehearse the interview from the perspective of an observer: In your imagination, visualize yourself at the interview, comfortable and at ease meeting people
and feeling relaxed and confident. Pretend that you are observing yourself from the other side of the room. The trick here is to imagine events unfolding in vivid 3D with rich colours. For many people, making the image large and close also helps to make it feel more realistic. Have fun playing with the image until it seems as real as watching T.V. or a movie screen.
Mentally rehearse the interview from your own perspective: When you are pleased with the imagined performance you are producing, step inside the image of yourself and run through the scenarios again as if YOU are now doing it. See, feel and hear it as if it is really happening. This time, you are looking out into the world from your own eyes, so your arms are directly in front of you with people facing you, as you feel your clothes on your body. Allow it all to unfold in great detail - make it as real as possible by letting your imagination free to create a rich and colourful panoramic view of a successful day. Finally, pay special attention again to feelings, really spend time imagining yourself feeling exactly the way you want to feel and then crank it up and double the intensity until it could not possibly get any better. Then, imagine it even better again!