Research the Company

In a fierce job market with competition often heavy and many applicants for a single position, it is a good idea to learn as much as you can about the company you are going to be interviewing with. If it’s a large or even medium company chances are they have a web site. Ask the receptionist or person who you schdule the interview with if they have a web site and visit it, and READ it. The whole thing if you can. Also, use your favorite search engine and try to read everything you can about them. Let this knowledge come out in your interview in the form of questions. An interviewer will be positively impressed that you are interested in the company.

Dress Code

Even if they say, “we dress casual,” men should wear a tie. Women should also wear appropriate business dress. No cleavage. No short skirts. No short sleeve shirts for men, no sneakers. Let common sense prevail, but dress nicely, get a haircut if you need one, shave, etc…

Be on Time

NEVER EVER EVER be late for an interview. If you’re worried about traffic? Get there super early and sit in your car for half an hour before you walk in.

Updated Resume

Don’t go to an interview without a resume, and don’t go with one that is not up to date. If you are not a good resume writer, enlist the services of a freelance writer with resume writing experience to polish yours and bring it up to date as well.

Consider Job Specific Resume

Sometimes you might want to write a new resume emphasizing certain experiences and skills more than others depending on the nature of the job and the company. Don’t lie, but emphasize and bring out and show off your important qualities.

Anticipate Difficult Questions and Practice Answers

If you were fired from your last job, even though technically you can’t be asked this, the reason for leaving may come up. You may have to deal with this. Think through how you will answer such a question and practice your answer in private. If you have a long gap in work due to being unemployed, be prepared to address that. If it was related to a drug or alcohol problem that is in recovery, you don’t have to tell them that, you can simply explain it as a “for medical reasons.” Or “to take care of a sick family member.” You. Don’t lie, but don’t offer.

Be Yourself

Relax. Be yourself, and don’t ask excessive questions about “How much vacation do I get?” Or “How many sick days can I take?” Or even, “What holidays do we have off?” Use your common sense. It’s alright to ask about benefits and vacation time, but they should not be the first words to come out of your mouth. Save them for the end of the interview or for a second interview.