Preparing for the Interview

Before going on your first interview, there are three things that you can do to convey a positive and polished image and to have a productive and successful interview.

Understand Yourself

1. Think about your skills, interests, and values.
2. Consider your strengths and weaknesses.
3. Be able to discuss decisions you have made and the thought behind them.
4. Identify accomplishments you are proud of. Be ready to support these accomplishments with specific information targeted towards the companies’ needs.
5. Identify things you might have done differently in your previous jobs.
6. Provide examples to demonstrate how you have developed your skills.
7. Be able to articulate why you are interested in this field. Think about your long-term goals.

Understand the Employer

1. Research the employer, the position, the industry or field, and (if possible) the people you will meet at your interview.
2. Read current periodicals and trade journals to learn about current trends in the field.
3. Review mission statements, annual reports, and company literature.
4. Think about the firm’s competitors, its clients or customers, or who the organization services.
5. Be familiar with the employer’s organizational structure.
6. If possible look up company information on the Internet.

Practice for the Interview

1. Have your facts ready! Refresh your memory by reading your technical manuals so you can recall the terminology at will.
2. Review in advance specific technical problems / or projects you have worked on where you were the problem solver.
3. Review interview questions with a friend and/or use an audiotape to critique your answers.
4. Write down your answers if it helps make your presentation more concise. Try to keep it short.