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Interview Preparation
Preparing for the interview is one of the most important steps in the career change process.
Employers look for bright, capable leaders who can influence the organization as
well as work effectively in a team environment. Employers also look for
organizational fit. As you prepare for the interview, make sure you:
- Review the job description and compare your experience with the duties,
responsibilities and requirements for the job so you can relate these
experiences during the interview process.
- Complete research on the company and the competitors. Again, you are looking for
issues/problems/opportunities where you can bring value to the
organization. Potential employers also gauge your level of interest by
how much advance research and information you have on the company.
- It may be appropriate to talk to current employees of the company, as well
as customers who use the products/services to gain a more thorough
understanding of the company.
- Be prepared for the behavioral interview. Interviewers will ask you to describe a
specific situation in your career history and how you responded in that
situation.
- Past performance is an indicator of future success. Be prepared to talk about your
results/accomplishments/impact to your employer's business.
- You need to demonstrate leadership capability. If you have not yet managed
a team, be prepared to talk about how you have influenced the team, the
company etc., through your leadership skills.
- Be yourself so you and the potential employer can make a decision that
will result in a good long term fit for you and the organization.
- Cell phones, pagers, and Blackberrys have become a way of life for us all.
Deactivate them before the start of the interview. The distraction can
cause an interruption in the flow of the interview and may result in
your disqualification.
- At the conclusion of the interview, always make sure that the interviewer knows that you are
interested in moving to the next step in the process.
- Have a list of questions to ask each person on the interview team. This
demonstrates your interest in the position and will also provide you
valuable information about the company.
- Click here for sample interview questions and additional articles on interview preparation.
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