So you’ve got the interview, now it’s time to showcase your talents. Here’s a basic checklist of things to do when preparing for an interview: Verify the location, time and individuals whom you will be meeting with Research the company if you haven’t already Dress appropriately Bring a resume, references and a portfolio if relevant Arrive 10 to 15 minutes early Once you’re there, first impressions are very important and will play a part in the decision making process. Stand tall, be sure to look the interviewer in the eye and give them a firm handshake when you first meet them. The interview itself can be stressful for those who aren’t comfortable in this type of environment. It helps if you do a “self inventory” just prior to the interview, to remind yourself of what you are actually doing and have done in the past. To ensure you are going in to the interview prepared, ask yourself the following questions regarding your qualifications: Tell me about yourself, your background. What are your qualifications for the position? What are your strengths and weaknesses? What are your greatest accomplishments? What qualifications do you have that make you think that you will be successful in your field? What personal characteristics are necessary for success in your chosen field? You should also be prepared for a behavioral based line of questioning which could include the following: Tell me about a time when you... or Describe a situation where you... Adapted to a new and difficult situation Handled a difficult situation with a co-worker Made a bad decision Overcame what seemed to be an insurmountable obstacle The interviewer will want to know how well your career goals match the position and the company/organization. They also want to know if you have an idea where you are headed. Following are some of the questions you may be asked: What are your career goals? Where do you see yourself in five years? Ten years? Why have you chosen this career path? Why do you want to work in this field/industry? How can this position help you achieve your goals? The interviewer may also want to assess your knowledge of the company and job. Here are some questions to help you prepare for this line of questioning: What do you know about us? Why do you want to work for us? How can you make a contribution to our organization? What job in our organization would you choose if you were entirely free to do so? Lastly, it is also wise to have a list of questions of your own prepared pertaining to the company and the job itself. This could include things like: What are the major responsibilities for this position? Are there any changes expected in the responsibilities of this job? What organizational changes do you anticipate? What are the greatest challenges facing the person in this position? What are prospects of future growth and expansion of the company/organization? Are there opportunities for advancement within the organization? Why is this position open? Who would I be interacting with the most in this position? How does this position fit in with the structure of the organization? Do you have an employee-training program? When can I expect to know your decision? Think of questions to which you genuinely want to know the answers. What additional information excluded from the job description might be helpful in deciding if this is the position you want?