I just got your message marked urgent. You have an interview tomorrow morning; you want to know what to do; and you want to know it now.

For starters, relax. You’re so uptight you’re likely to shut down the

interview along with the interviewer. Go for a walk, jog, or

swim and think about how you want to be on that interview.

Image your calm, cool, and collected self driving to the meeting, knowing

where you’re going, with plenty of time to spare, wearing clothes and shoes that fit you well and comfortably. Then picture yourself parking in the visitor’s lot, walking to the building, greeting the receptionist, providing your name along with the name and title of the person you’ve come to see. And see yourself sitting patiently as you wait however long it takes for the interview to begin.

As the interviewer approaches, image yourself naturally extending your arm

for a firm, warm, dry hand-shake and upon entering his office, waiting to be

seated until he gestures you to the appropriate chair. You sit comfortably, you’re

alert, tilted forward ever so slightly, your arms uncrossed, your feet on the

floor.

You picture the interviewer as your equal, as interested as you are

in finding the right match. You notice how the meeting begins

conversationally, with small talk about the weather, having a fine

weekend, and an easy time finding the office. He begins by asking you the

question you’ve most looked forward to,” tell me about yourself”, and you

describe why you are interested in working with the company and what you

believe you can do to contribute to their organization’s success.

As the interview progresses you delight in how your practice sessions have

paid off…  how easily you respond to open-ended questions about your strengths, skills, and abilities to overcome business challenges, to be a team player, and to attain individual as well as team goals.

You let the interviewer set the pace, the tone, and climate for the

meeting. You focus on why you want to be there and why you were invited to be

there. Your style is pleasantly upbeat and optimistic as you describe your

experience through a perspective of authenticity, curiosity, and consideration.You

obviously enjoy the opportunity to learn about what’s important to this company

and its leadership team.

You’re pleased that you took the time to study the company’s website

particularly when the employer referenced it,  asking questions about it. You seemed to surprise him with your level of understanding of their business and market strategy. He didn’t realize that you had also gone on line to read some recent articles published about them in the News & Record and the Wall Street Journal.

Your listening skills are at their very best. You take in what the

interviewer’s saying and when you’re unclear of his meaning, you clarify your

understanding before responding. You’re able to connect his comments to your

experiences, demonstrating your knowledge and ability to add value to his

organization.

You ask open-ended exploratory questions about the company’s direction

and its strategy to get there; the culture of the company, how people treat each

other, what they expect of one another, what the boss will expect of you and

what it takes to demonstrate success in the short term and over time.

The conversation moves effortlessly between you. The interviewer indicates he’ll

be in touch and you confirm your interest in the job.

You know the interviewer will draw conclusions, as will you; he’ll make comparisons, as will you, and he’ll come to a decision. As will you. And that’s as it should be.

Are you ready? Then go get ’em, tiger!