Jenny

A few posts ago, I talked about using internet social networks like Twitter and LinkedIn to help you make the connections that would position you for your next big opportunity.  Well, now you have scored an interview.  So what should be you next steps to make sure that you get the job?  Here are a few tips:

1. Do Your Research.  Conduct some research on the company that you will be interviewing at.  You want to have some background knowledge about your potential employer.  One of the first resources you should consider is the company’s website, if there is one available.  Usually, with such websites you can find out a lot of general information, which includes the company’s mission, its officers, the clientele it serves etc.  If there is no company website available, then you should Google the company to see if there are any recent press releases or articles on various events or projects that the company may have been involved in.
   
   
2. Research Your Interviewer.  If you were given the name or names of the persons you will be meeting with, either look them up on the company website or Google them.  Having some knowledge about your interviewer or interviewers and their credentials will help you to better prepare pertinent questions about the position you are interviewing for, and will also go a long way to impress them at the right moment during your interview.
   
   
3. Dress to Impress. Dress in a professional manner.  Gentlemen, dress conservatively.  Wear a dark suit and a tie, with polished shoes.  Ladies, you should also wear a dark suit as well.  There is an ongoing debate as to whether women should wear only skirt suits to an interview.  To this question, there is no correct answer since many employers and job experts seem to be split on this issue.  To be safe ladies, you should consider going with a skirt suit.
   
   
   
   
4. Be Punctual.  Arrive at least ten to fifteen minutes before your interview.  That will give you an opportunity to relax and shake of the butterflies before you go into the interview.  Further, no prospective employer likes to be kept waiting for an interviewee.  It is a bad beginning; the prospective employer will be left with the impression that you will not be reliable in the future.
   
   
5. Engage the Interviewer. Have a few questions prepared to ask the interviewer throughout the interview.  This is your opportunity to impress them with your knowledge of the company or of their credentials.
   
   
6. Follow Up with a Thank You Note.  After completing your interview, always follow up with a thank you note.  This will be one of the last opportunities you will have to leave an impression on that interviewer before he or she makes a final decision.

What are some of your suggestions for a successful interview?

Further Reading: Job Hunting? Are You Using Social Internet Networks as a Resource?