What is the best way to prepare for a job interview?

Question

I want this position!! I need to be the most impressive candidate. What suggestions do you have? What questions should I ask? HELP!!

Answer 1

Think of every possible question they can ask and practice answering it. There are tons of books and websites that are out there with interview questions.

Research the company. I can't tell you how many qualified candidates I have turned away because they didn't do some research on the company.

Never ask about money on the first interview. Ask about advancement possiblities, what a typical day is like, what the best part of working for the company is, etc.

Answer 2

Research the company and make sure you know as much as possible about them.

Sit with good posture and lean forward a tad when talking to the interviewer. This will make you look interested and focused.

Make sure you dress as best as you can, and in a professional manner(no cleavage or outrageous heels)

Ask as many questions about the job as you can. Let them know you are interested in the job and dont just sit there listening to them ramble about the position.

Make sure you know your resume inside and out. If you have noted special skills on your resume, make sure you have a good explanation why!!

If they ask you what your weaknesses are, give them an honest answer, well sort of honest lol. Dont give them the cliche answer, the weakness that is actually a positive.

Make sure you are relaxed and comfortable during the interview. Dont be nervous, there is no reason to be.

Make sure you smile too, and make a few jokes if you can. These people want someone around them that everyone, or most everyone can get along with and like.

Answer 3

The best way that I know of to impress an interviewer is to do your homework. Learn all you can about the company you want to work for - then you can ask intelligent questions. That will show the interviewer that you really want the job. Be prepared to tell how you can make it an even better company.
Good luck with your interview!

Answer 4

Do not forget to take a trial run at least a day before. Make sure you know exactly where you are going, where you are parking and be there early. About 15 minutes is good. Too early interrupts their schedule. Late leaves a bad impression. And dress properly. Presentation of self is everything. First impressions still carry a lot of weight! This along with several other good suggestions I see in your answers, should help you be at the forefront! Also bring a clean, hard copy of your resume. Good Luck!

Answer 5

This is the most valuable suggestion I have ever heard regarding job interviews:

A few days before your interview, find at least one adult that is (or has been) admired and respected in their workplace. Ask them to conduct a few mock interviews with you. Do this exercise a number of times; perhaps on two or more occasions. It will probably be somewhat uncomfortable or even embarrassing at first... but ... that is the whole point. If it is hard to answer questions posed by someone you know, you can imagine how difficult it is to maintain your composure and train of thought with a stranger.

The interviewing process is a situation in which we rarely find ourselves. Few of us are well practiced at it. Walking in cold and answering questions about ourselves that we have never before pondered is a tough assignment.

So, develop some answers, roll them around in your mouth, and try them on another person. Then, when the "spotlight" hits you, it will be reasonably easy to recall or organize an appropriate answer from thoughts you have already constructed. And, by having already heard yourself saying these things out loud, the words should tumble out in a calm and self-assured manner.

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Nothing else I will write will even come close to being as important as the suggestion above. Nevertheless, here are a few more random thoughts that have occurred to me, which you have probably heard before:

• I believe that 50% of an interviewer's final opinion of you will be formed at first glance and 35% within the next 5 minutes while they are observing you up-close. With that in mind, dress conservatively but in a fashionable and modern style. Be as neat as a pin... hair nicely cut and freshly washed; clothing clean and pressed -- new may be best; hose or tights -- no bare legs; neat, polished shoes -- again, new may be best; tidy, well organized purse; neat, clean, slim briefcase (to hold your resume and any copies of any papers you deem valuable to the process); clean, manicured nails -- they do not have to be short, but loooong is no good; basic rule, "Everything in Moderation."

• Rather than dressing as you would while working in the position you are applying for, wear what the person that would supervise you in that position would wear.

• Bring 5 or so sharp, clean copies of a carefully prepared resume. Necessary features: perfect spelling and punctuation, logically organized format, concise, and TRUE! Manipulating language to fit the position is required here. However, fibbing or really stretccccccching the truth is counterproductive for a myriad of reasons. (NOTE: I think the paper a resume is printed on is somewhat reflective of an applicant's personality. You might have it printed on high-quality sheets which you find beautiful but which are only apparent upon close inspection.)

• Be ON TIME.

• Get out your sense of humor and use it to cover any embarrassing moments that may occur (this does not at all mean that you should be silly) and SMILE!!!

GOOD LUCK AND GOOD FOR YOU FOR BEING SPUNKY ENOUGH TO GO AFTER WHAT YOU WANT!

p.s. - You don’t have to ask many questions. Only ask what it naturally occurs to you to ask. (“How much vacation time will I get?” seems like a good one to avoid tho’.)

Answer 6

Providing that you're a non black member of our society, disguise yourself to give the appearance that you're a black female, dress casually, dowse your hair with Afro-sheen, obnoxiously chew a large wad of gum and pop bubbles with it during the interview, allow your eyes to wonder about the room while being interviewed, place your feet up on the interviewers desk, ask the interviewer for his opinion regarding racism in America, inform the interviewer that you are a card carrying Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson supporter, and ask the interviewer if he/she has ever used the N word, this should guarantee you any position that you so desire within the company that you're seeking employment with;) LOL

Answer 7

Ask about the company's benefits, and policies. Include a question about advancement, although don't seem overly aggressive. Be friendly and ready to answer questions about your expectations of the job, and where you will fit in. Make it as though the job was part of your life, seamlessly fitting in. Be enthusiastic and optimistic, and you can include you think you are the best candidate for the job.

Answer 8

Try this book: Preparing for Fire Service Testing, by Morse, avail at www.ifsta.org. It covers all aspects of interviewing as part of teaching firefighters how to interview. It applies equally well to any interview and is the only book I know of like it that goes into that. It's like, $15.

Answer 9

Do a google search on the company and see what you can find out about them online. Make a call and ask if they've got a website. You will be able to form some questions to ask from there. If you make it known that you did research before you got there, it will score you brownie points.

Answer 10

Well first off you dont ask question you let them ask the questions until the end and after that if you have any questions about the company. second off make sure to keep good eye contact the entire time. and lastly just be your self.