I Got The Interview! Now What?

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Sep 10th 2011 9:02PM

got an interview, now what Gerrit Hall

Ah, the interview. The natural next step after one of what seems like thousands of resumes catches the eye of a hiring manager.

An interview is helpful to both the company and candidate because it helps determine whether the position and candidate are a good fit for one another.

However, interviews can be a stressful time, especially if you've be unemployed for a while.

Check out the next steps you should take after accepting the interview offer:

Investigate

If you haven't already, now's the time to play Sherlock Holmes! Use your handy dandy search engine to learn all about the company, it's competitors, and the person you're interviewing with. Important things to know before an interview are what the company culture is like, salary expectations for the position, how your interviewer fits into the overall company, and where the company is headed. Research this stuff now so that you can come up with some great questions for the end of the interview.

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Dress the Part

If this is your first interview in a while, it might be time to go shopping. A good rule of thumb for interviews is to dress slightly nicer than you would if you were working at the company. Sticking with classic staples such as button down shirts, solid pants/skirts, and fitted blazers can make a good impression while being kind on your wallet.

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Practice

Just like a musical instrument, multiplying with double-digits, and the next level of Call of Duty, practice really does make perfect. Dedicate time to practicing all things interview, from handshakes, to poise, to answering the tricky questions. Rope your friend/roommate/mom in for some role playing - just make sure you buy them pizza or something after interview practice.

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Cheat (in a good way)

An interview is kind of like a test-so why not make a cheat sheet? Think about some interview questions that might come your way and draft a few responses. In a stress-free environment, you'll be able to answer these questions more completely and highlight the stuff that really matters, such as recent accomplishments and other cold, hard facts. Rehearse these answers all the way into the waiting room of your interview.

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What do you think? How do you prepare for an interview? What other things should an interviewee do before the day? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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