You Can't Just 'Wing It' - Interviewing Takes Practice

You've worked hard to make sure your resume reflects your background and accomplishments, is well written and free from typos or grammatical errors.  You have mastered the art of writing a cover letter.  You've networked to get your resume out there and have applied to every job you can find.  Now you've got the call and have an interview lined up.  Now it's time to put as much energy into winning the job as you did in getting the interview!

Too many people spend too little time on preparing for an interview.  Aside from researching the industry, company and position, you have to have great answers to the following:

Tell me something about yourself.
What are your strengths?
What's a weakness?
What are your short and long term goals?
Why should I hire you?

Write out your answers to each of these, word for word.  The basic answer should be the same or similar for each position.  AND then you tailor or fine tune each answer to showcase how you meet the requirements outlined in the job description.  Read your answers out loud, to a friend, a colleague, and, if you have one, to your career counselor to make sure you are presenting the best you.

Should You Be First, Last or Somewhere in the Middle?

I had the opportunity to interview for a wonderful job today.  It is a perfect fit in every way - skills and experience, culture of the office and university, timing, staff, commute...you name it and it's a match. 

How did I get to this one?  You know the answer already - networking!

Here's a question:  When you have the choice of when to interview, do you choose to go in first, last or somewhere in the middle? 

Going in first puts you in a great position if they really like you.  Then others are being compared to you.  The down side, of course, is that you are first so you have to find ways to stay in front of the interviewers while they meet with your competition.

Going in last puts you in the position of being most memorable as your prospective manager gets ready to make a decision, but if the interviewer/s have already found the person they view as 'the one' you may not even know what an uphill battle you're in.

The best answer and timing... prepare to go in and WOW them regardless of when you interview.  Make sure you have a solid 'Tell me something about yourself' that's linked to the job description.  Research the company and the people you'll be interviewing with so you can answer the 'why us' question.  Write your answers out and rehearse them with a friend, colleague or in front of the mirror. 

It's the same old question and punch line...How do you get to Carnegie Hall?  Practice!

I'm off to write my thank you e-mails, restating why I'd be the perfect candidate for the position.  Keep your fingers crossed and I'll keep you posted.