Ready for a career change? Finally get that interview with a company you have been working hard to get in front of? Well being prepared is the most important aspect of the interview as your skills will only get you so far. Here is a great way to prepare for your Interview:

Candidate Interview Prep Sheet

1)     Make sure you know what the company does.  Nothing kills an interview faster than not being able to answer the question, “in your words, what is it that you think we do?”.

–        review their website

–        do research on the company

–        have an answer for the above question

2)     Know the job description

–        go through the job and recall where/when you gained the experience requested

–        recall specific examples of work that you’ve done that’s comparable

–        will help with better recall of this important information at the needed time

3)     Make sure you know your own strengths and weaknesses

–        write down 5 strengths (be able to discuss them)

–        write down 2 weaknesses (be able to discuss how you learned from them)

4)     Write down two significant accomplishments as that relate to the position

–        be able to discuss the details around these

–        try to have one individual example and one team oriented example

5)     Prepare some good, pertinent questions

–        avoid questions about vacation or sick time

–        position questions that will allow you to then describe some important related projects you’ve worked on. See examples below.

6)     Ask for the job

–        ask if your accomplishments seem relevant to the requirements of the job

–        state that you are interested and would like to know what the next steps are

–        this will set you apart from candidates of equal skill that do not do this

7)     Make sure you have few copies of your resume and a folder to take notes

8)     Make sure you are clear on Date, Time and Directions

–        make sure you have detailed and confirmed directions with you

–        confirm date and time

9)     Make sure you know who you are meeting with

–        who to ask for upon arrival

–        names and titles of the interviewers

–        HAVE MY NUMBER AND A CLIENT CONTACT NUMBER ON YOU

–        use them even if you think you are going to be late

10)  You can’t be overdressed for an interview

–        you have one shot to look and sound impressive -> take it!

–        A few question examples:

1. What does the person in this job need to do to be considered successful?
2. What could I show or tell you right now that would convince you that I am the one for the job?
3. What’s the biggest problem that needs to be addressed right away?
4. How have you developed your team members?