Ask Abby: How should I prepare for an interview?

The interview is one of the most important elements of the job search process. An interview gives both you and the employer the opportunity to exchange information to determine if there is match between your background and their open position. The goal is for both you and the interviewer to “be yourself” so that an appropriate decision can be made. Here are some interview preparation tips:

1. Find out when the interview is scheduled and how long you will be there. Also find out if you will be talking to just one person, or to several. 
2. Search for the interviewers on LinkedIn to determine if you have anything in common with them. If you went to the same school or worked for the same company, you can mention it at the beginning of the interview to establish rapport. 
3. Research the company and be prepared to answer questions about why you are interested in working there. 
4. Bring copies of your resume and have the names, e-mail addresses and phone numbers of references in case the employer asks.
5. Reread your resume on the day of the interview. You will be asked questions about certain bullets so you’ll need to remember the details surrounding them. 
6. Choose an interview suit that makes you feel like a million bucks! Avoid perfumes or cologne, heavy makeup or inappropriate jewelry. 
7. Practice, practice, practice answering typical interview questions with confidence such as: 
   • “What’s your biggest weakness?” 
   • “Where do you see yourself in five years?” 
   • “Why do you want this job?”
   • “Why did you leave your last job?” 
8. Think of questions to ask your interviewer to indicate that you are truly interested in the position such as: 
   • “Which new markets is your company planning to explore in the next couple of years?” 
   • “What challenges keep you awake at night and how can I help you solve them?” 
   • “If it was six months from now and I received an “exceeds expectations” on my performance review, what would I have accomplished that earned me that?” 
   • “What is the one thing you would change about the culture if you could?”

Being prepared for an interview will remove much of the anxiety from the situation so that you can feel at ease. Practicing interview questions with a coach or a friend on a regular basis will help give you the boost of confidence that you need to go from the interview straight to a solid offer.