Acing the Interview

With thousands of Americans looking for work these days, knowing how to prepare for a potential job interview is as important as ever.

Let’s say you’ve created an impeccable resume and cover letter and voila, you’ve been invited to an interview for a position of your dreams. But what do you do now, how should you prepare?

Although the preparation for an interview is just as important as the actual interview itself, it’s not always given the same time and care. Your prep work will enable you to present yourself with confidence. It could also mean the difference between landing the position and being rejected.

Here are four pre-interview tips that will help on your big day:

Online Presence

Be particularly diligent in making sure that the virtual you is as professional and polished as the person who

walks in for the interview. Increasingly, more employers are beginning to research the online presence of potential candidates, including social networking profiles. This gives them an opportunity to make a judgment or form an opinion before you even walk in the door. It also could shatter an image of what was already presented in an interview for those employers who look you up online after meeting you.

Marlon Cousin, an interview guru and managing partner at the Marquin Group, says, “If it can’t be on the front page of the New York Times, don’t do it.”

Attire

Given that first impressions are very important, what you wear plays a critical role in how you are perceived. You wouldn’t want to ruin an opportunity to make the right impression by wearing the wrong clothing.

First, it’s important to know

the dress culture for your industry and the company. A suit is always appropriate and is a sign of respect, but if you are interviewing at a company where employees are casual in their dress, a blazer and slacks for a man may be more appropriate.

A blazer with a skirt, dress or slacks can offer a polished look for a woman. A good rule of thumb is to dress two levels above how you think company employees dress and always lean on the conservative side. If you are unsure, ask a member from the human resources team about what is acceptable to wear.

Natalie Hibbert, director of human resources for Black Enterprise, witnessed the ultimate fashion wipeout several years ago when a young woman applying for an editorial position arrived in sneakers and sweats.

“Your appearance is an

initial indicator of your professionalism,” Hibbert says. “Having a polished presence is your greatest selling point. It helps me to assess your confidence and how serious you are about making a good first impression.”

Hibbert recommends keeping wardrobes and accessories simple. Jewelry and perfume should be kept at a minimum. Hair should be neatly styled. Fingernails should be kept short and clean. Wrinkle-free suits, shined shoes, and briefcases add special touches to make a good first impression of professionalism.

Research

It’s important to research the company you are interviewing with, but it’s also imperative to know details about the department and position you’re applying for. Is it a division that is growing or has been experiencing challenges? Is it a major contributor to the overall revenue growth of the company? Can it be?

Knowing particular details about the company

will show that you’re interested in the organization beyond the position that you’re seeking. But it will also show that you understand the unique challenges and opportunities in the area that you are applying to.

Besides going to the company’s Website, Cousin suggests looking up articles about the company in the news and in the trades, as well as visiting Hoovers.com, a business website that provides information on companies, its employees, and industry overviews and facts.

Practice makes perfect. How well do you communicate your talents and skills? Practice becoming fluid in not just reciting facts about the company or what tasks you’ve executed over the years, but also how your expertise could benefit this company, in terms of how you work with staff, manage conflict, and implement strategy.

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