If you have a networking meeting or an important interview coming up, you want to be ready.
And, there’s no time like the present to brush up on your preparation strategies.
Go to the company’s web site; review their history and their mission statement. Learn their product mix, business locations, and if they’re global, where they are headquartered. Read profiles of their senior officers and if they publish an annual report, look it over. If you don’t understand what the numbers are telling you, get help from those who do. You want to walk into interviews as prepared to ask good questions as you are ready to respond to those you are asked.
Before heading out the door, confirm the meeting place, the time of your appointment, and the name and title of the person with whom you’ll be speaking. Double check your directions and give yourself time to get there with room to spare. If you’re early, you can always circle the block or stretch your legs. If you’re late you have no options. Present yourself no more than five to ten minutes ahead of your scheduled appointment.
Greet everyone you meet with cordiality, from the security guard to the administrative assistant. You’re making impressions, and you want them to be good ones.
When introduced to your contact or interviewer, shake hands, (firm, dry hand-shake) and sit when and in the place designated by your host. Resist the urge to rearrange furniture or touch memorabilia; you can however, share your appreciation for the excellent directions, the comfortable and well-appointed office, etc.
Maintain a positive and pleasant demeanor throughout the meeting. Avoid sharing your perspective on hot topic issues and public personalities. Stay alert! The more comfortable you become the easier it is to slip into negative territory.
Respond to questions as they are asked. Be concise. Summarize your thoughts, add facts to support or illustrate your assertions. Use numbers to quantify your examples and be prepared to describe the meanings of your word choices (what does “success” mean? What does it mean to be a “strong leader?”) Less is more. If the interviewer wants you to elaborate on your responses, he or she will ask.
Speak in a conversational, yet professional tone, avoiding slang or jargon. Be ready to answer the questions you’re most likely to be asked: “Tell me about yourself” (complete this one in a minute or two, no more!); “Describe your key accomplishments” (begin with your most recent); “What’s an example of one of the biggest professional mistakes you’ve made” (briefly describe what it was and what you learned as a result); “What are your strengths?” (be specific rather than global); “What are your weaknesses?” (keep in mind, a weakness is a strength overdone); “Why did you leave your last job?” (keep it simple) or “why did they fire you?” (tell the truth). “Why are you interested in us?” (you’ll know if you’ve done your homework) and “why ought we to be interested in you?” (they’ll be interested if the problems you solve are the ones they have).
If you’re interviewing for a management position, you could to be asked to name your favorite books or authors (if they ask, they care, even if you don’t) and if you’re not much of a reader, you still need a ready answer. Go to the library or bookstore, and get some help. You’ll be safe in selecting a best selling business book, spy novel, or biography. If you name it, be sure you’ve read it and can discuss it.
If you’re concerned that your mature appearance might be a negative, describe your high energy level, goal focus, and experience as a team player and team leader. If you’re concerned that your youthful appearance may cause you to be overlooked as not “substantive” enough, reference (if true) working your way through school, civic volunteerism, and (if true) the boards on which you’ve served.
Worried about the negotiation? You’ll be ready and confident if you do your homework: Itemize salary, bonus (if earned consistently), stock, and cash equivalence of benefits so that you know what your current total package is, what you want, and what you need.
