EDITOR'S POST
How do I prepare for the interview?
Q. How do I prepare for the interview?
A.
- Practice a lot with a family member, a friend, or a recruiter, answering questions and any realistic technical questions you can think of. Some candidates find it helpful to be video- or audio-taped during a practice interview, and to review their answers later.
- Find out as much background information as you can about the company and its products and/or services, corporate culture, mission, organizational structure, affiliations, challenges, and competitors, even if it looks like useless trivia. Use WWW, periodicals databases, trade magazines, reference books, so you can impress the interviewer with intelligent question and discussion. Don't memorize numbers (such as sales figures) but be familiar with their product line and the recent media coverage.
- If you know someone who works for the company, ask them about all of the above, as well as working conditions and benefits.
- It gives a very good impression if you find that one of our flagship products is the Pneumatic Gizmorizer, and you say to that, Of course, I read it was voted Gizmorizer of the year by the Gizmo Monthly.
- If the company is publicly traded (US), it must file annual and quarterly financial reports that are available on the Internet and give relevant figures such as the number of employees, sales, earnings. Many of these figures are useful only to an accountant. You can also call up the company's stockholder relations department and request a copy of their annual report. It will generally describe their product line and plans for growth. The section called Management Analysis and Discussion is often very useful for a job candidate.
- Try to learn about the persons interviewing you (publications and patents, if applicable). If the interview is arranged by a third party recruiter, s/he may be able to answer some of your questions.
- Ask what kind of questions you will be asked, so you can be prepared. Ask how many people will speak to you, their names and titles. Prepare a list of questions you want answered (see Q-2.10) and write them on a piece of paper.
- Try to be rested and to get a good night's sleep. Some people feel better if they have a nutritious snack before the interview.
- Know where you you are going. If you have the time, do a dry run so you won't get lost when going to the actual interview.
- Call the day before to confirm time and place. If you plan to drive, it may be wise to ask about parking.
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Comments
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Posted by: Editor at July 5, 2005 06:06 AM
how do i know what the interviewer can ask if im going for an interview for the first time and new to the place?
Posted by: vanessa dhawan at August 13, 2005 12:11 PM