Before the Interview

Being well-prepared for an interview not only makes you look good to the recruiter, it also will help you be more confident and relaxed during the meeting. Taking some time to learn about the company and practicing your responses to standard interview questions can really pay off in the long run.

Do Your Research

• When scheduling the interview, find out who you will be meeting, the manager you'd be working for, the steps in their hiring process and dress code.
• Get directions to the office and a phone number to call in case you encounter an unexpected delay.
• Ask for a detailed job description, if you don't already have one.

Learn about the Company

• Visit the company's website and read it carefully.
• Look for recent news about the company and industry.
• Check out trade journals and associations (you can find many of them in the About the Industry, as well as other sources of information.)

Prepare for Interview Questions

• Write down and be prepared to discuss three of your achievements.
• Be ready to explain your interest in the company's type of work.
• Be prepared to discuss how your skills will make you a productive member of the team.
• Have some short, specific examples in mind for "behavioural" questions like the following:
  • Describe a stressful situation and how you demonstrated your coping skills.
  • Give an example of a goal you set for yourself and what you did to achieve it.
  • Tell me about an experience you had working with a colleague you didn't like.
  • Discuss a time when you had to conform to a policy in which you did not believe.
  • Tell me about a time when you used good judgment and logic in solving a problem.
  • Describe a situation in which you showed initiative to accomplish something.

Prepare for Compensation Questions

• Research the job market to get an idea of the general pay ranges and benefits.
• Be prepared to discuss your salary history, but be careful of selling yourself short.
• If you're pressed to state a figure, have a range in mind that reflects what you'd like to make.
• You can always say that you have to evaluate the role and their compensation programs before stating a firm figure.