Nailing That Interview

So you're browsing LinkedIn or reading the classifieds and you see the job of your dreams staring you right in the face.  You brush up your resume, write a killer cover letter and send it in sealed with a kiss and a prayer.  A week later, someone from HR calls telling you they'd like you to come in for an interview.  Wahoo!!! So the hard part is over, now you've got the hard part left.  To help you nail the interview and be sitting pretty in the job you've always wanted, keep these nuggets tucked in your bonnet:

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• Be sure you’re qualified to do the job – do research about the job and ensure you can truly do it. Shooting the moon on a job you aren’t qualified to do is just setting you up for failure.
  
  
• Be super-prepared – know the company, the products, and the current news events.
  
  
• Be early – better you wait in the lobby for 15 minutes than show up five or ten minutes late.
  

• Actively listen to the interviewer – Let the interviewer ask questions completely and ensure you understand the question before responding. Don’t cut him or her off.
  
  
• Be very concise – avoid rambling in your responses and ensure each word you speak contributes to the value of your answer. Also don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know”.
  

• Follow up with something useful – Rather than just sending a “thank you” email to the interviewer, follow up with some research or some additional thinking on a topic you discussed in the interview. Start showing your value to the organization right from the interview by helping the interviewer with some problem he or she is struggling with.
  
  
• Be hyper-responsive - send your follow-up email within 24 hours of the interview; same day if possible. Also ensure that you respond to any follow-up questions very promptly.

Lonnie Pacelli
Keynote Speaker | Board Director | Autism Advocate | Author | Project Management Expert | Microsoft/Accenture Veteran 
See his books on Amazon.