How do you best prepare for a job interview?

1. Career Network Ministry Preparing for the Interview Show Time!

2. Homework Will Differentiate You Who will be interviewing you? Phone interview or in person? Individual or panel questions? Find out all you can about the individuals (Google/linkedin, etc). Research the company (competitors, products, website, 10-k, Transcripts of Conf Calls, etc) Make sure to have top 10 questions to ask written down and ready.

3. Practice Weaving a Theme into Q&A Write out top 20 questions and your answers. Get both reviewed and practice delivery Think about the impression you want to leave and factor top 3-5 themes into multiple answers. (hard working, well educated, global experience, passionate, quick learner, team player, over achiever, natural leader, etc) Can not practice too much – only not enough

4. Do the Little Things – They are Big Insure you know the location and can get there timely – 5-10 minutes early Have copies of resume, a pad and a pen Well groomed – attention to details of appearance. Business cards a plus to leave behind. Warm up voice in car before you go in. Professional and gracious to everyone you meet.

5. The Greeting – The Ultimate First Impression Firm handshake/ Smile/ Eye contact Let them see your excitement about being there – use the person’s name in responses. Be prepared to drive small talk as a way to break the ice (weather, sports, mutual interests, friendliness of staff, etc)

6. Pace and Length of Answers Want answers to seem crisp and to the point Not too long - Avoid run on answers (3 bullets) Not too fast – Okay to pause between question and answer. At one point factor in “That is a great question” (sincere flattery works) Know your resume inside and out

7. Time to Sell Understand the answers we are trying to get by on and the ones that can be home runs Be very ready for the potential home run answers – the places where we are a perfect fit for their requirements. Show them the three keys – Energy, Enthusiasm and 100% Commitment.

8. Real Examples Drive Impact Be prepared not only with answers but with examples. Understand key requirements and align your examples with them….. Present as a short crisp answer followed by a real example of how you actually did it… These can be home run type answers so make sure to spend time on this area.

9. Don’t Get Defensive Tough questions are coming – understand what they will be and welcome them. You should not be surprised. Insure you have the best possible answer. Again make sure you dry run. Never…Never…be negative (my prior boss was a jerk, the Company was a disaster, etc). Keep showing your excitement and passion even in the face of difficult questions.

10. Closing Questions – Your Chance to Ace the Take Home Test People do not spend enough time asking great questions when they can. Chance to leave them with a great final impression of the homework you did. If HR Rep is interviewing then general company questions can work – If Sr. Management then be more creative

11. Follow-up or Fail Ask timing and next steps before you depart. Write notes immediately after interview for follow-up purposes. Make sure you have everybody’s info. Email thank you note to all within 12-24 hours. Hand written thank you cards within 24-48 hours. Summarize your key selling points again.