Know Your Audience
- Do a google search on the company name and see what you can uncover
- Check out their website
- Check out their social media pages
- Actually use their product or service if you can.
- Connect and talk with current and former employees.
- Get a list of people who will interview you and their titles. Then, come up with specific questions for each person based on their position.
- Ask the recruiter about the interview format ahead of time. Will you be asked to solve technical problems or demonstrate your work? Are they mostly asking questions to see if there is a culture fit?
Anticipate the Interview Questions
- Look over a list of common interview questions and make a few notes of how you would answer each.
- Find some numbers and percentages based on your past performance you can include.
- Know why you are interested in the position and what motivates you.
- Practice answering questions in the mirror.
- Do mock interviews with a friend.
- Prepare some smart sounding questions you can ask.
Dress (and Pack) Accordingly
- Wear a nice suit or business attire or clothes that are compatible with the role.
- Wash your car before you go. It will give you a sense of confidence and order
- Bring 5 copies of your resume.
- Clean out your briefcase or purse.
- Get a fancy notebook to take notes in. Don’t go for the cheapo $1.00 legal pad. Invest $10-$15 in a fancy bound, professional looking notebook.
Get Your Head in the Game
- Have a goto phrase to eliminate dead air.
- Spend time reflecting on your career chronology to date.
- Brush up on answers to any technical questions you might be asked.
- Pre-rehearse your body language.
- Have an interview cheat sheet with notes on questions you might be asked that you can refer to.
- Get some sleep before your interview.