• RESEARCH THE COMPANY AND THE INDUSTRY
• PREPARE A PORTFOLIO
• KNOW IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM MEMORY
• ANTICIPATING THE QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED
• PREPARE THE QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK

1-RESEARCH THE COMPANY AND THE INDUSTRY

The ability to discuss with prospective employer information about their company or industry can be very impressive.It demonstrates initiative and true interest in the position.
Some excellent resources include the library, current customers, competitors, and inside sources such as customer service departments or company web pages.
Your goal should be to learn as much as you can. You may want to copy articles that highlight their accomplishments and bring them with you.
The information you obtain during this research will be valuable to you when you begin formulating intelligent questions you will want to ask during the interview.

2-PREPARE A PORTFOLIO

This can again demonstrate your interest in the position, as well as your preparation skills, initiative and creativity. It can be as simple as a nice folder containing copies of information to be left behind with the interviewer, or as elaborate as a nicely bound binder (which you keep and take to each interview) with the various pieces of information presented in sheet protectors. In either case, some suggested information to include would be the following:
Copies of educational diplomas, certificates, accreditation's, etc.
Examples of written correspondence to show writing skills.
Awards won.
Reference letters.
Past employer evaluations (if positive) and recognition letters.
Examples of work - such as projects completed, etc.
Information learned about the company and industry.
Driving or other records if appropriate.
At some point during the interview you will be given the opportunity to ask questions. This is usually the appropriate time to present your portfolio. You may want to say something to the effect of:
" I've prepared some additional information for your review which further shows some of my abilities, please feel free to look it over."
A well prepared portfolio can separate you from your competition . . . but likewise, a poorly prepared portfolio could do more damage than good. Keep in mind, anything that you present to a prospective employer should be the very best it can be; it is a reflection of you and what you could bring to their company as a future employee.

3-KNOW IMPORTANT INFORMATION FROM MEMORY

Believe it or not, many people have a C.V., but often times don't know what information is on it. It is common for interviewers to ask questions just to verify information that you have already provided in writing as a way to check your accuracy and truthfulness.
It is important to be able to explain, without a doubt, all of the information you provide; names with proper spelling, education and employment dates including months and years, facts and figures, etc.
Information which you provide verbally, must match exactly what you have provided in writing. Discrepancies can raise suspicions, and this is certainly something you don't need when interviewing for your perfect job.

4-ANTICIPATING THE QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

How you answer questions during the interview plays a major part in the hiring decision. For example, if responses seem vague it may indicate a weakness in a particular area, or an indication that something is being hidden.
Likewise, responses that tend to ramble on may indicate the inability to make a decision or to communicate effectively. In most instances, as you probably know, this is not the case at all. These undesirable responses are usually due to the fact that the candidate is caught off guard by the question, and therefore panics.
A good interviewer will ask certain questions just to see if a candidate can think quickly on their feet.
To hopefully help you avoid all of this, a list of some of the more commonly asked questions for most types of positions has been provided. To be thoroughly prepared, it is recommended that you review these questions and think about, not memorize, how you would answer them. You might even want to have someone ask them to you so that you can practice a response and think about what you would say...
While there are various resources available that attempt to provide you with the answers you should give when asked questions; using these "canned" answers is not suggested for the following reason. Experience has shown that these "canned" answers are quickly recognized by most interviewers and can often work to the detriment of the candidate. Interviewers have been known to ask follow-up questions based upon your response, and these "canned" answers make it very difficult for you to provide additional information. Avoid looking foolish!
It is to your benefit to review these potential questions and formulate responses that truly represent you as a person and your abilities. If the answers are yours, not someone else's, it reduces the risk of sounding foolish or unprepared.
On the same note, do not over-prepare your own answers. When the questions are asked, your responses should be smooth, concise and communicated with confidence. Not "canned or "rehearsed"!
Additionally, as you think about answering the questions, it is important to be direct, to the point, and answer them as they relate to your experiences. Most importantly, you want to be truthful, and if during the interview you are asked questions regarding skills or experiences which could be perceived as a weakness, there is no need to apologize. In most cases companies recognize that some lack in experience is only a direct reflection in the lack of opportunity, not the lack of ability.
The question sections that follow have been broken down into four different categories. While the categories here are in no particular order (they will vary by interviewer) you will find that most interviewers will ask the questions in some sort of logical sequence.
Education Related
How many years of education have you completed?
Why you picked this particular school or institution you went to?
What are your overall thoughts on the school or institution you went to?
Why did you select your particular course of study?
Did you complete your program or course successfully? If not able too why not???
Why did you decide on specializing in that particular field?
What courses did you do best in?
What courses did you have difficulty with?
What courses did you get the most out of? Why?
What courses did you get the least out of? Why?
What courses did you like best?
What about them appealed to you?
What courses did you find disappointing? Why?
What was your grade average overall?
Where would you estimate the study in your class in terms of overall academic performance?
Do you feel that your grades were a fair reflection of what you could do? If not, why not?
If you had it to do over again, would you have taken the same course of study?
Would you have gone to the same school?
What did you like most about the school?
Looking back do you feel your education was worthwhile?
Why or Why not?
To what extent did it live up to your expectations?
Are there any particular circumstances that influenced your academic experience?
Describe for me school activities / projects you were involved in that would demonstrate team building?
Are you a collegiate member of any professional organizations?
What have you learned through your membership?
What aspects of your education do you feel will bring you success in this position?
Previous Position Related
How was that position obtained?
What attracted you to that position?
Describe your duties and responsibilities.
Describe a typical day.
Describe your supervisory responsibilities. (If applicable)
What kind of decisions did you make?
What types of reporting did you do?
Why were these reports necessary?
How was your work assigned?
How was your department structured?
How often were you evaluated?
How were you evaluated?
What is the main form of communication?
What types of teamwork situations did you work in?
How did your position affect other people/departments?
What type of communication did you have with others inside or outside the company?
Describe your supervisor.
Describe the worst supervisor you ever had.
How would your supervisor describe you?
How often did you have contact with your supervisor?
How much freedom did your position allow you?
What was the role of your supervisor when working together?
How would your co-workers describe you?
How are your references going to describe you?
Describe a recent difficult professional situation and how you handled it.
How would you describe your management style?
How would those you supervise describe you?
What strengths did you bring to this position that has helped make you successful?
What skills have you acquired since being in this position?
What specific types of training have you received?
What did you find most challenging about this position?
What did you like most?
What did you like least?
If you could make a suggestion to improve your current or most recent company, what suggestion would you make?
What would you say was your greatest accomplishment in this position?
Why did you leave/are you leaving?
Position "Applying for" Related
What do you know about this industry?
What do you know about this company?
Where did you obtain this information?
When you were made aware of this position, what created an interest?
Why are you applying to this company?
What skills do you currently have, which you feel can help you succeed in this position?
Are there any other experiences, skills, or qualifications which you feel would especially fit for work with this company?
As you understand this position, please describe it to me.
Are there any hours that you would not be available to work?
Describe the ideal supervisor.
Describe the perfect position.
Questions about you
What are you looking for in a company?
What is most important to you in a position?
What are your short term goals?
What are your long term goals?
Describe for me what happens if something does not go as planned.
When you find yourself getting into a rut (routine), how do you go about keeping yourself challenged?
What is your greatest single motivator?
Define success (your definition)
Define happiness (your definition)
Define dependability (your definition)
Define trust (your definition)
Define loyalty (your definition)
Of all of the work you have done, in what position do you feel you have been the most successful? (Why?)
All things considered, what have you done that you are most proud of? (Why?)
What types of individuals or personalities "rub you the wrong way"?
When you encounter these types of individuals how do you handle them?
What are your three greatest strengths? (Why?)
In what areas would you like to improve? (Why?)
What are your feelings about a possible relocation?
Is there anything that would prevent you from working the required hours to be successful in this job?

5-PREPARE THE QUESTIONS YOU CAN ASK

So many times when candidates are given the opportunity to ask questions they don't know what to ask. They fumble around and try to come up with something off the top of their head. This is unfortunate, because this is your time in the interview and the absence of questions can be viewed by a potential employer as a lack of true interest in the position or lack of preparation. Besides - most good employees are inquisitive...
When your question time in the interview comes, you want to have the questions prepared and ready to go.
This is your time to find out as much as you can about the position and to be sure this is the opportunity you really want. The following list is provided to aid you in generating some questions which can help you stand out among your peers.
What makes your company better than others in your industry?
What makes your company different from others in your industry?
Why do people like working at your company?
Outline a typical career path for someone with my experiences.
Why is this position available?
Describe for me the initial training program I can expect.
What types of ongoing training and support can I expect?
Describe for me a typical day in this position.
What would you say are the two most important skills to be successful with your company?
Describe the management philosophy / style of your company.
Based on what we've talked about, what do you feel are my greatest strengths?
Where do you see the company in 10 years?
What attracted you (the interviewer) to the company?
Hopefully, you are now completely prepared for your upcoming interview. It is time to put your best foot forward in the actual meeting.