What You Should Do Before The Interview:

Research the company. Research the company with whom you are interviewing. Nothing impresses an interviewer more than a candidate that knows about the company. It shows that you have initiative.

Be punctual. Get there on time. The importance of punctuality can not be stressed enough. Plan to arrive about 15 minutes early. It shows your regard for the interviewer's time. If you have to wait, use the time to go over your notes.

Dress Professionally. It shows that you cared enough about the company to present yourself in a professional manner. In today's work place, most companies do not have a strict code. So if you are one who hates pantyhose or a shirt and tie, relax. This may be the only time you have to do so.

Practice. Practice. Practice. Practice makes perfect. All the information that you would have obtained about successful interviewing would be wasted if you do not practice. You can know all the questions the interviewer will ask but if you do not practice, it would be as if you did not. Have a friend go over the questions with you until you are able to answer them promptly without stuttering.

What You Should Do During The Interview:

Give the interviewer a firm handshake. Give the interviewer a firm handshake, even if the interviewer is a woman and you're are a man. Nobody likes a limp handshake but by the same token do take the person's hand off either. While shaking, introduce yourself keeping eye contact at all times.

Smile. Nothing is worse than an interviewee who looks depressed or indifferent. Would you want to work with someone who is always depressed?

Maintain Eye Contact at all times. You are confident about yourself and your capabilities. Relay that. Do not stare out of the window or fiddle with your pencil. The interviewer is talking to you or you to him. Be attentive.

Speak Clearly. Do not mumble your words. It portrays a lack of confidence.

Respond to your interviewer. If he makes a joke, smile to acknowledge that he made one, even if it was not funny.

Listen before you answer questions. Makes sure your have understood the question. If you do not, ask him to clarify it. Take a second, then answer.

Give brief answers. Answer promptly and intelligently. However, when asked yes or no questions, elaborate.

Complete the application thoroughly. For salary requirements put negotiable, unless specified not to do so. Then put the salary range for your profession with your experience.

Ask the interviewer questions. Even if he does not ask you "Do you have any questions," ask him anyway.

Thank the interviewer. Be sure to thank the interviewer for his time.

What You Should Do After The Interview:

Thank the interviewer in writing. Send the interviewer a formal thank you.

What You Should Not Do At All:

It may be obvious to some, that most of the things you should not do are the opposite of what you should. However, some people need reinforcing.

Be dishonest. If an employer asks "Do you know about.?" and you do not, say, "No." If you say yes, the next question is almost always "Tell me about it."

Chew gum during the interview. It's tacky and inappropriate. I would recommend that you do not before the interview either. You may forget to remove it.

Smoke. Do not smoke, even if the interviewer does and offers you a cigarette.

Refuse a job offer in the interview. Don't ever refuse a job offer until you have had the time to think about it. It may be the only one you get.

Ramble. Make sure your answers are short and to the point.

Questions You Can Ask the Interviewer:

• Ask about the information you researched.
  
  
• Describe my job duties.
  
  
• Is this a newly created position?
  
  
• What are the companies short and long term goals?
  
  
• What do you like most about working for this company?
  
  
• What is a typical day like for you?
  
  
• To whom would I report?
  
  
• Whom will I supervise?
  
  
• Tell me about the training program I will experience.
  
  
• What is the company's promotional policy?
  
  
• With whom will I be working most closely?
  
  
• When can I expect to hear from you?
  

Most Frequently Asked Questions

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
  
  
• Tell me about yourself.
  
  
• What are your team-player qualities? Give examples.
  
  
• Of the courses your have had at college which courses have you enjoyed the most?
  
  
• What is your GPA? How do you feel about it? Does it reflect your abilities?
  
  
• How have your educational and work experiences prepared you for this position?
  
  
• What work experiences have been most valuable to you and why?
  
  
• Where do you see yourself in five years?
  
  
• What goals have you set for yourself? How are you planning to achieve them?
  
  
• To what do you owe your present success?
  
  
• Why should I hire you?
  
  
• What makes you think you can handle this position?
  
  
• Wha6t is your most significant accomplishment to date?
  
  
• Why do you want to work here?
  
  
• Describe a leadership role of yours and tell why you committed your time to it.
  
  
• In a particular leadership role you had, what was your greatest challenge?
  
  
• Give me an example of an idea that has come to you and what you did with it?
  
  
• Give me an example of a problem you solved and the process you used?
  
  
• Give me an example of the most creative project that you have worked on.
  
  
• Tell me about a project you initiated?
  
  
• Describe the project or situation that best demonstrated your analytical abilities?
  
  
• Since attending college, what is the toughest decision that you have had to make?
  
  
• Tell me about your most difficult decision and how did you go about making it?
  
  
• What types of situations put you under pressure, and how do you deal with pressure?
  
  
• Give me a situation in which you failed, and how you handled it?
  
  
• Why are you interested in our organization?
  
  
• What type of position are your seeking?
  
  
• Where do you think your interest in this career comes from?
  
  
• What industry besides this one are you looking into?
  
  
• Why have you chosen this particular profession?
  
  
• What interests you about this job?
  
  
• What challenges are you looking for in positions?
  
  
• What can you contribute to this company?
  
  
• What motivates you?
  
  
• What turns you off?
  
  
• If I asked the people who know you well to describe you, what three words would they use?
  
  
• If I asked the people who know you for one reason why I shouldn't hire you what would the say?
  
  
• When you take on a project do you like to attack the project in a group of individually?
  
  
• Describe the type of manager you prefer.
  
  
• Tell me about a team project of which you are particularly proud and your contribution?
  
  
• Describe a situation where you had to work with someone who was difficult, how did you handle it?
  
  
• What type of work environment appeals to you most?
  
  
• With which other companies are you interviewing?
  
  
• What characteristics do you think are important for this position?
  
  
• Why do you feel that this company will be a career for your rather than a job?
  
  
• Name two management skills that you think you have?
  
  
• What characteristics are most important in a good manager? How have you displayed one of them?
  
  
• Why did you choose this college and how did you arrive at the decision?
  
  
• What factors did you consider in choosing your major?
  
  
• Describe how your favorite course has contributed your career interests?
  
  
• Since you have been at college, what is it that you are proudest of?
  
  
• How have you changed personally since starting college?
  
  
• What has been your greatest challenge?
  
  
• If you could change a decision you made while at college what would you change and why?
  
  
• Why did you choose that campus involvements you did? What did you gain? What did you contribute?