Interviewing for a job never seems to get easier - even when you have gone on more interviews than you can count. You are going into an unfamiliar office, meeting new people, selling yourself and your skills, and often getting the third degree about what you know or don't know. Here is some job interview advice to help prepare you to interview effectively.

Prepare

Prepare a response for a few frequently asked questions, like "What do you know about our company"? or "Where do you hope to be in 5 or 10 years?" Don't rehearse the answers - it'll sound like you did, but do have an idea of how you want to answer them.

Know the interviewer's name and use it during the job interview. If you're not sure of the name, call and ask prior to the interview.

Get Ready

Make sure your attire is neat, professional and appropriate for the type of company you are interviewing with. But if it's a casual environment, step that up a notch to business casual. Do not wear jeans unless they tell you to, specifically. Bring a nice portfolio with several copies of your resume, at least one for every person you might talk to. Include a pen and paper for note taking.

Be On Time

Be on time for the interview. On time means five to ten minutes early. No more... no less. If need be, take some time to drive to the office ahead of time so you know exactly where you are going and how long it will take to get there. If, for any reason you're running late - even by one minute - call from the car. Apologize, explain, and let them know approximately when you expect to arrive. Then apologize to the interviewer again when you arrive.

Stay Calm

During the job interview, try to relax and stay as calm possible. Take a moment to regroup before you walk in. Maintain eye contact with the interviewer. Listen to the entire question before you answer (don't interrupt) and pay attention - you will be embarrassed if you forget the question!

Have a Conversation

People like to hire people they can have a good conversation with. Make an effort to show your personality, connect with the interviewer, and have fun with it. If they "like" you, you're half-way there. Also, ask the interviewer about themselves. A question like "will you tell me about your experience in working here?" will show them you're interested in people as well as the position. And hiring managers like to talk about themselves for a change.

Follow Up

Always follow-up with a Thank You note, reiterating your interest in the position. It can be an email or, even more impressive, a hand-written note. If you interview with multiple people, send each one a separate note.

For more information on job interview advice please visit landtheinterview.com

By Menlo Lippowski

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