Conduct Research on the Employer, Hiring Manager, Job Opportunity:

Success in a job interview starts with a solid foundation of knowledge on the job-seeker’s part. Review your resume carefully and remember details. You should understand the employer, the requirements of the job, and the background of the person (or people) interviewing you.

The more research you conduct, the more you’ll understand the employer, and the better you’ll be able to answer interview questions. Review the company's Website, search engines, research tools, and your network of contacts.

Review Common Interview Questions and Prepare Your Responses:

Another success to interviewing is preparing responses to expected interview questions. First, inquire as to the type of interview to expect (which you can do by asking your Source|One Staffing contact). Compose detailed yet concise responses, focusing on specific examples and accomplishments. A good tool for remembering your responses is to put them into story form that you can tell in the interview. Source|One Staffing has a number of excellent tools to help you with interview questions and responses. Ensure you ask your contact if you think you might need help.

Dress for the job:

Dress appropriately for the organization and its culture. Remember that it’s always better to be overdressed than underdressed. Keep accessories and jewelry to a minimum. Do not smoke or try not to eat right before the interview.

Ask Good Questions:

Studies show that employers make a judgment about an applicant’s interest in the job by whether or not the interviewee asks questions. You should prepare questions to ask days before the interview, adding any additional questions that might arise from the interview.

Make Good First Impressions:

A cardinal rule of interviewing: Make a good first impression. Be polite to everyone you meet, from receptionist to the hiring manager. The employer will be curious how you treat staff members and your job offer could easily be derailed if you’re rude or arrogant to any of the staff. When it’s time for the interview, keep in mind of your first impressions can make or break the interview. Make a strong first impression by dressing well, arriving early, and when greeting your interviewer, stand, smile, make eye contact, and offer a firm (neither limp and nor bone-crushing) handshake. Also, having a positive attitude and expressing enthusiasm for the job and employer are vital in the initial stages of the interview; studies show that hiring managers make critical decisions about job applicants in the first 20 minutes of the interview.

Thank the Interviewer(s) in Person and by Email:

The importance of thanking each person who interviews you should come as no surprise. Start the process while at the interview, thanking each person who interviewed you. Also, writing thank-you emails and notes shortly after the interview will not get you the job offer, but doing so will certainly give you an edge over any of the other finalists who did not bother to send a follow up thank-you.