Draw a line down the center of a piece of paper. On the left side, make a bulleted list of what the employer is looking for based on the job posting. On the right side, make a bulleted list of the qualities you possess that fit those requirements.
Research the company, the industry and the competition.
Before you even think of heading off to a first-round interview–or mass-mailing your resume–you’d better do some detective work. Recruiters constantly stress the importance of doing adequate research before you start interviewing.
Who are the key players in the industry?
What is the history of the industry, and where is it heading in the future?
What are some of the major industry trends?
What skills are required to succeed in and contribute to the industry?
What role does the company play in its industry?
What are the company’s key products, and what is its market share?
How has the company made money in the past, and what will its sources of revenue be in the future?
What skills are in demand at the company–marketing, engineering, finance, sales, product development?
What types of jobs are available for recent college and MBA grads?
Arrive early for the interview- get mentally prepared.
You are interviewing the company, it is a two-way street.
Be enthusiastic – you must show that you are interested in the job. This leaves a big impression on the interviewer.
Dress to your advantage- conservative is best.
You should be prepared for a few different approaches to interviewing. You may encounter behavioral interviewing or the case approach to interviewing. On occasion a company may give a stress interview to determine how a candidate handles himself under pressure. You may also get a panel interview, however employers often tell you in advance so you are prepared for it.
How does your previous experience relate to the job for which you are interviewing?
Why are you looking for this type of position and why are you interested in our company?
Describe a situation where you took initiative /solved a problem.
What courses in graduate school did you like the most/least?
What would be a reasonable career track for someone starting in the position for which I am interviewing?
What opportunities will I have to learn new skills /gain new knowledge within the organization?
What are the most important characteristics /qualifications that you need in this position?
Where do you see this division/department/company/industry headed in the next few years?
It is imperative to prepare yourself for this meeting, do not wing it!
Preparation is two fold. You must do a self-assessment of how your abilities and experiences match the job and also research the organization well.
Review your resume with the job you are interviewing for in mind.
Identify all your achievements both from your work and education. Quantify when possible.
Identify leadership roles, honors, internships, class projects and volunteer experience.
Be prepared to answer the key question “Why do you want to work for this company and this industry?
Get financial information and research new developments in the company. Some resources are: a company’s web page, annual report, Lexis/Nexis, research in the Wall Street Journal and business sections of major newspapers for key articles about a company.
What niche does this company have in the market?