Be Prepared For Your Interview Here are Check-List

Use the practical job interview checklist of what you need to do before your interview. You want to be sure that you are properly prepared and confident of succeeding in your job interview.

This checklist takes the candidate through the complete interview preparation process from what to take with you to the interview to how to answer standard interview questions.

We have everything covered for you.

1. Research the Company

First, research the company’s mission statement. The goal for the interview is to prove to the company that you can do the job and will fit right into the company. Memorize key parts of the mission statement and prepare to tell the company how you fit. It’s also helpful to research common salaries for your job field and location. This will help you prepare for salary questions, if asked.

You will also want to research the company and think about what questions you want to ask the hiring manager. The questions that you ask during and at the end of an interview will show how interested you really are in the position. For example, “I read that the company will be implementing new sales initiatives. How do you feel this change will affect the company moving forward?” Make a list of possible questions you would like to ask at the end of the interview. If possible, research the person who will be interviewing you to give you some potential talking points.

3. Practice Mock Interviews

The more prepared you about the job, company, and your own work experience, the more confident and competent you will appear during your interview. Research sample interview questions and prepare answers for them. Ask a friend or family member you can trust to be critical and honest to do a mock interview with you. Prepare a few stories about yourself that showcase your positive traits in case you need them during the interview. Reread your resume and cover letter before you go into the interview. Many interviewers will ask you questions about something you included on your resume, and you do not want to be thrown off or unprepared to discuss it.

2. Choose a Power Outfit

You don’t want to choose an outfit the morning of your interview and discover that there is an issue with the clothing or the way you feel wearing it. Choose a couple outfits you may wear to the interview at least a few days prior. Wear the outfit during the mock interview to ensure that you are comfortable and confident in it. Make sure that the outfit fits the culture of the company atmosphere and appears professional and suiting to your personal style. Be sure to lay the outfit out the night before the interview – clean, ironed and ready to go.

4. Prepare Your Portfolio or Briefcase

Your portfolio will look different depending on the job to which you are applying. Make sure that you have at least two copies of the resume in your portfolio: one for you and one for the hiring manager. Also include your letters of recommendation and references, a pad and pen to take notes during your interview, a business card, and any professional documents you would like to include, such as samples of your work.

5. Arrive Early

It’s always a good idea to arrive 15 minutes early to the interview. To ensure you get there on time, take a test drive to the interview location around the same time your interview will be. This will give you an idea of where you are going, what the traffic should be like, and what the parking situation is before your interview day. Brainstorm some strategies for dealing with stress. The added 15 minutes you gave yourself should allow for time to collect your nerves before the interview. Keep your body language in-check. Always smile and appear as warm as possible.

Preparing for the interview ahead of time will take away most of the distractions, and make you feel more at ease. Coming to the interview on-time, prepared and secure shows respect, and this respect tells the hiring manager that you will perform the job to your best abilities.

Job Interview Checklist for Job Seekers: You Will

1. 1. Plan to arrive about 10 minutes early since late arrival for a job interview is never excusable. If I’m running late, I’ll phone the company.
   2. Greet the receptionist or assistant with courtesy and respect and make a good first impression.
   3. Not chew gum during the interview.
   4. If presented with a job application, fill it out neatly, completely, and accurately.
   5. Bring extra resumes to the interview. (Even better, if I have a job skills portfolio, also bring that with me to the interview.)
   6. Not rely on my application or resume to do the selling for me; I know I need to sell myself to the interviewer.
   7. Greet the interviewer with a big smile and call him or her by his or her title (Ms., Mr., Dr.) and last name. I’ll confirm the pronunciation of the interviewer’s name (if questionable) with the receptionist before going into the interview.
   8. Shake hands firmly and avoid a limp or clammy handshake!
   9. Wait until I am offered a chair before sitting. I will be aware of my body language and posture at all times; I will sit upright and look alert and interested at all times. I will avoid fidgeting or slouching.
   10. Avoid telling jokes during the interview.
   11. Make good eye contact with the interviewer(s).
   12. Show enthusiasm about the position and the company.
   13. Avoid smoking, even if the interviewer does and offers me a cigarette. I’ll avoid smoking beforehand so I don’t smell like smoke. Whether or not I smoke, I will brush my teeth, use mouthwash, or have a breath mint before the interview.
   14. Avoid using poor language, slang, and pause words (such as “like,” “uh,” “you know,” and “um”).
   15. Speak with a strong, forceful voice to project confidence.
   16. Maintain a high confidence and energy level, but avoid being overly aggressive or cocky.
   17. Avoid acting as though I would take any job or am desperate for employment.
   18. Avoid controversial topics.
   19. Refrain from saying anything negative about former colleagues, supervisors, or employers.
   20. Ensure that my strong points come across to the interviewer in a factual, sincere manner.
   21. Never lie. I will answer questions truthfully, frankly, and succinctly and not over-answer them.
   22. Stress my achievements and avoid offering any negative information about myself.
   23. Avoid answering questions with a simple “yes” or “no;” instead, I will explain and give examples whenever possible. I will describe those things about myself that showcase my talents, skills, and determination.
   24. Show off the research I have done on the company and industry when responding to questions.
   25. Refrain from bringing up or discussing personal issues or family problems.
   26. Remember that the interview is also an important time to evaluate the interviewer and the company he or she represents.
   27. Realize that a short pause before responding to a question to collect my thoughts is OK, but avoid long pauses. Repeating the question aloud or asking for the question to be repeated to buy some time to think is OK.
   28. Conduct myself in a way that demonstrates my determination to land the job I am discussing. Avoid closing the door on an opportunity until I am sure about it.
   29. Refrain from answering cell-phone calls during the interview; in fact, turn my cell phone off (or set to silent ring).
   30. Show what I can do for the company rather than demand what the company can do for me.
   31. Postpone inquiring about salary, vacations, bonuses, retirement, or other benefits until after I’ve received an offer. I will be prepared for a question about salary requirements but will try to delay salary talk until I have an offer.
   32. Ask intelligent questions about the job, company, or industry, knowing that if I don’t ask any questions, I’ll be indicating a lack of interest.
   33. Close the interview by telling the interviewer(s) that I want the job and asking about the next step in the process. (Some experts even recommend closing the interview by asking for the job.)
   34. Immediately write down notes after the interview concludes so I don’t forget crucial details.

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