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The Top Ten Strategies of A Great Interview


You've just received a call to interview with your dream company. Do you know how to prepare for the interview so that you'll feel confident, have a good experience and set yourself apart from others? Try following the steps below and you'll not only be well prepared, you'll present yourself as a true professional.

1. Research the company.

Do your homework, e.g. go to the company's website and read about the employers vision, strategy, competitive advantages, products, finances, departments, etc. If the company doesn't have a web presence look them up at the library, call the Better Business Bureau or Chamber of Commerce, find out who they are, what products they sell, and something about their competitors.

2. Prepare your elevator speech.

This is your two-minute opportunity to enlighten the interviewer about your chief accomplishments. Please note, this is not the same as your responsibilities. Employers want to know what you did, not what you were charged with doing.

3. Prepare your talking points.

Craft a list of your 4 greatest strengths and the 4 things you're currently working on for professional growth. Be prepared to give examples of each.

4. Identify innovations / process improvements you made in your most recent employment.

Employers want to know how hiring you will make their organization better and contribute to the execution of their strategy. (Assuming you did your homework in step # 1 you can offer examples of innovations or revenue saving ideas that will be of interest to the potential employer.)

5. Dress for success.

The way you dress makes a statement about yourself. Regardless of the job that you're applying for, it's a good idea to wear a freshly laundered suit?even in a casual business environment.

6. Arrive 15 minutes early for your appointment.

Besides ensuring you aren't rushed, you can learn a lot by utilizing this strategy. Observe the company's employees as you sit in the lobby. Do they greet one another and say hello to you? Are they smiling and happy or frazzled and frustrated?

7. Engage in a dialogue.

A conversation is a two-way exchange. Be curious and ask lots of questions to get a good understanding of how the company, department, and management operates. Ask about the job responsibilities and company culture, e.g. employee recognition programs, opportunities for personal and professional development, current and future challenges of the position, etc.

8. Tell the truth.

When responding to the employer's questions, tell the truth! If you made a mistake, say it in a positive way, accept responsibility for it, what you learned, and how you have benefited from the experience.

9. Don't talk salary or benefits.

The goal is to get as many options going as possible so don't talk about compensation too early in the game, it can be a knockout factor. Sell the employer on all that you can do for them. If they're interested they'll make an offer and then you can start negotiating both issues.

10. 50 % of the responsibility for the right job match is yours.

Remember, you're interviewing the employer just as they are interviewing you.

Pam N. Woods is co-author of a bestselling book, Create the Business Breakthrough You Want: Secrets and Strategies from the World's Greatest Mentors; endorsed by Ken Blanchard and Dr. Stephen Covey. She is a Coach U graduate and President of Smart WorkLife Solutions, a coaching and consulting company devoted to co-creating customized solutions to fit clients business and personal organizing needs. Prior to founding her own firm she had a successful 20+ year career as an insurance executive and Vice President of Human Resources. For more free how-to articles and advice, or to contact Woods, visit http://www.worklifecoach.com.Copyright 2002 - Pam Woods


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Employment at WKU  Western Kentucky University

Careers at J&J  Johnson & Johnson Careers

Career Paths  FEMA.gov


Careers | Home  USDA (.gov)


Careers and Jobs at CRS  Catholic Relief Services

Employment Opportunities  Alabama Department of Public Health (.gov)

Careers  UC Santa Cruz

Work at Fairfield  Fairfield University

Careers - MDOT  Maryland.gov

Careers  Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center

Working for ICE  ice.gov

So, Why’d You Leave That Job?  The New York Times

Careers at USCIS  USCIS (.gov)

Employment Opportunities | Game Commission  Commonwealth of Pennsylvania (.gov)

Careers  Johnson & Johnson

Store Hourly Job Areas  Target Corporation

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Explore Store Careers  Target Corporation


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Work With Us  National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (.gov)



Career Opportunities  Gilead Sciences

Jobs  City of Rochester (.gov)


Careers at Willamette  Willamette University

Water Services Careers  City of Phoenix (.gov)

Jobs at Liberty University  Liberty University

Careers  Washington State University

Careers in North America  Johnson & Johnson Careers

Employment Services for PhD Mathematicians  American Mathematical Society




Careers and Employment  Willamette University

NASA Careers: Pathways  NASA (.gov)

Student internships at J&J  Johnson & Johnson Careers

Our Hiring Process  Target Corporation

Careers  The Ocean Cleanup


Job Creation and Economic Growth  Department of Energy (.gov)

KPMG Careers  KPMG

UF Health Careers  UF Health Careers





Careers  West Virginia Department of Education


Careers at Union  Union College


The Gen X Career Meltdown  The New York Times




Work for the City of St. Louis  City of St. Louis, MO (.gov)

Current opportunities  Turner & Townsend

Interview Guide and Tips  Target Corporation

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Job Seekers  Illinois Human Resources




Explore BCG locations around the world  Boston Consulting Group

Careers  El Dorado County (.gov)


Internship Opportunities | Careers  Boston Consulting Group



WORK AT LVMH  LVMH


Mental health at work  World Health Organization (WHO)

Work with us  JPMorganChase


Work at UI Health Care | University of Iowa Health Care  University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center

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