Remember that the point of the interview and almost every question you will be asked is to help the interviewer determine:
- Can we depend on you?
- Are you easy to get along with/will you fit into the company culture?
- Are you a good (motivated) worker?
- Do you have the experience and qualifications to do the job?
Your task is to assure the interviewer that the answer to each question is indeed, yes. So, how do you best prepare?
1) Conduct a mock interview, a structured practice session, in which your goal is to be able to succinctly convey the following:
- Your professional strengths and skills
- Your key accomplishments that relate to the job
- Unique qualities and experiences that set you apart
- Why you want the job
Evaluate each mock interview using a rubric such as this one: Mock Interview Evaluation.
2) Research: know yourself, the company & the position
- Be able to explain why you are interested in this position with this company
- Know the qualifications and skills needed for the position
- Do not go into the interview without having thoroughly reviewed the organization’s website.
- Research the company using glassdoor.com, vault.com, and Google news.
- Talk to current or past employees for insight into the company culture
Have a great interview!