by Rachel Brown

Created on: July 04, 2007   Last Updated: November 19, 2011

Job interviews can be scary. However, if you take some time to prepare, you can ace that interview. These steps give you a solid foundation on what you need to know before you walk into that interview room.

(1) Know Yourself. In order to sell yourself, you have to know who you are, where you've been, and what you've learned. This in turn will build confidence and self-esteem. Remember to accentuate your best skills and qualities.

(2) Know the Company. Make sure you know how and when the company started, the major players, the functions of the company, and any current events.

(3) Dress Professionally. The basic colors for suits are black and dark blue. Shirts should be solid colors such as blue, purple, white, and etc. Be well-groomed, not too much jewelry (a watch and necklace are fine), and wear professional shoes.

(4) Study top interview questions. You should be familiar with basic interview questions as well as behavioral-style ones. If you know who will be in the room with you during the interview, you might want to have specific questions for them as well. For example, if someone from Human Resources is there, you might ask about benefits.

(5) Things to Bring. Make sure you have plenty of resumes (five is a good start), at least two pens, and a portfolio that has flaps to hold handouts and a notepad for taking notes. Use the portfolio to jot down some quick notes on the company and questions to ask.

(6) Remember to stay calm and focused. When answering and asking questions, speak clearly and concisely. If you need a moment to answer a question, take it. If you need clarification on a question, don't be afraid to ask. This interview is just as much for the company as it is for you. Both parties have to share similar goals.

There are several websites that deal with each of these steps in more depth. Some of the most popular sites are www.careerjournal.com, www.collegejournal.com, and www.monster.com. They offer a lot of information on interview questions and workplace issues for both postgraduates and experienced workers.

Regardless of the outcome, take this interview opportunity as a learning experience. It allows you to identify the areas that need improvement as well as the areas you excelled in. If you do your best, prepare, and be confident in your abilities, success is sure to follow.

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