Secrets To A Successful Job Interview

There are three keys to being successful in a job interview, research, research, research.....OK that's really only one thing, but it should be three things.

The first research is to find a job that you are qualified for. There is not much chance of you winning a job interview if you aren't qualifed for the position. In fact, without the necessary qualifications, it's unlikely you will even get an interview, let alone win it. That means you need to read the job postings carefully, find out what the qualifications required are, and see if they match your existing qualifications. Do you have the education, training, physical ability, apprenticeship requirements etc. These are almost always in the body of the job listing, telling prospective applicants what is needed for the position.

The second research is the about the actual job, and the company or organization where the employment is located. Call ahead and ask the company HR department if there is a written job description you could have a copy of. If not, prepare a list of questions and ask to speak to someone who can give you a little information about the position. Find out as much as you can without being a nuisance. If it is a company that is open to the public, like a store, or government office, go there and have a look around. Familiarze yourself with the layout, the products, the staff, paying attention to their ages, sex, and dress attire. Are they dressed casually or business casual, or more formally? Are their any brochures or catalogs that you can have? This stuff is gold. Check out the outside of the building, parking facilities, bus routes etc. In other words, become somewhat of an 'expert' on the company and it's facilities. But you're not finished. Most companies have websites these days. Find theirs and read it, carefully, making notes of things like the company mission statement, type of business, names of the management team etc. Now have a look for other companies in the same area that are in the same business. For two reasons, one, you want to know a little about their competition for the interview incase an opportunity presents itself for you to mention it, and two, you never know, the competition might be hiring too....

The third research is the perhaps the easiest. Research yourself, take the information you now have about the company, it's business, it's competitors, staff, hours of operation etc and try to decide if you will be a good fit for the company, and if it will be a good fit for you. This is particularly useful for the interview, when you can bring out some of the points you have discovered about yourself. Some research into yourself compared with the company requirements etc, will make it much easier for you to answer job interview questions intelligently, and with an air of knowing what it is you can offer as well as what they offer you.

There you go...three keys to a successful job interview.....