Interview Preparation — Do It the Right Way!
Interviewing is 90 percent preparation and 10 percent application. So prepare and you'll feel more relaxed, confident, and on top of things during the interview.

1. Review and role-play the most frequently asked questions. Prepare your answers to questions like: Why are you leaving your job? Why are you interested in this position? What do you know about our company?
   
2. Have answers to the questions that make you squirm. Why were you terminated? Why do you have gaps in employment? Why did you stay at your last company so long? Do you have a degree?
   
3. What about personal questions concerning marital status, number of children, health? Try to figure out the underlying concern. For example, the question "What are your child-care arrangements?" might address the availability to travel or work weekends. Answer the real question: "I will do whatever it takes to get the job done." Magic words: "You can count on me."
   
4. Before an interview, review your successes. What were they? How did you make them happen? What achievement are you proudest of? Can you tell them in 60 seconds or less?
   
5. Prepare your sales pitch. Know what the company is looking for and match your skills and background to the job requirements.
   
6. Practice your answers in front of the mirror, into a tape recorder, and on video, if possible. Look for nervous mannerisms like hair twirling, ear pulling, neck scratching.
   
7. Check your posture, eye contact, energy level. Evaluate your voice. Is it high and screeching? Are your answers punctuated with a lot of "er's" and "urn's"?
   
8. For every interview, have at least five questions to ask the interviewer at the end of the interview. Examples: Why is this job open? What are you looking for in a successful candidate? What do you expect the new hire to accomplish in the first 90 days? Six months?
   
9. Important interview props - paper and pen. On the pad of paper include your five interview questions along with any major points about your background you want to cover in the interview.
   
10. Always bring samples of your work: press clippings of appearances or speeches, a quote by you in local publications, writing samples, etc. Interviewers love to see tangible evidence of your work. Be prepared to leave the samples with the interviewer, but never be afraid to ask for them back.
    
11. Practice a firm handshake. First impressions are lasting ones. A damp, limp, tentative handshake spells trouble for any candidate. And please, no finger-to-finger handshakes.
    
12. Get a haircut before you go on any major interview.
    
13. Invest in quality clothes for the interview and make sure your grooming is impeccable. Hair must be neat, nails manicured, shoes polished. No exceptions.
    
14. Tinted lenses? No. If the tint's too dark, you'll look unprofessional.
    
15. Important interview props - paper and pen. On the pad of paper include your five interview questions along with any major points about your background you want to cover in the interview.
    
16. Always bring samples of your work: press clippings of appearances or speeches, a quote by you in local publications, writing samples, etc. Interviewers love to see tangible evidence of your work. Be prepared to leave the samples with the interviewer, but never be afraid to ask for them back.
    
17. Tone down makeup and jewelry. If it jangles or dangles, don't wear it. And skip the perfume and aftershave. Some people have fragrance allergies.
    
18. Men's interview uniform: Conservative suit in dark colors with a white dry-cleaned shirt. Ties are another story. An expensive, fashionable tie shows you're progressive, up-to-the-minute.
    
19. Women's interview uniform: Conservative suit or dress with jacket in dark or neutral colors. Red is also acceptable. Dark or neutral hose. Avoid faddish styles and hemlines.
    
20. Critique your interview outfit. Does it make you look successful, competent, with it? Get feedback from friends and relatives. Clothes can tell a lot about you. Make sure they don't lie.