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by Kimberly Doss

OK, so you landed the interview. Good for you! If I could high-five you through this page I would! Now you need to get ready for the big day.

Don’t fear; be brave! The best way to help combat your fear is to be fully prepared for the interview. When I interview a candidate, I prepare by finding out as much as I can about the person before our meeting, including any information I can find online that will help paint a complete picture. For instance, I look for white papers and other written documentation as well as blog entries and social networking sites. Within those sites I look for recommendations, clubs the candidate joined, and who is following the person. As a candidate, you’ll want to do your own type of preparation.

So, are you ready to wow your audience? Good, let’s get started. You must first believe in you, your abilities, and how you will make a difference! Next, you need to position yourself and make a list of questions you intend to ask the hiring manager during the interview. Keep in mind that you may be asked to stay and chat with other managers or members of the team. It is OK to ask some of the same questions of more than one person, as long as it makes sense to ask them.

For instance, you may want to ask both the hiring manager and a member of the team, “What are the most significant challenges within your group?” This question is one that can be asked of many different people and you may get varied answers. It is important to learn more about the opinion of those you may be spending the majority of your time with. Learning their styles, their views, and how they process information will be an advantage to you as a candidate. Information is power, as long as you use it.

Consider the following questions that may be asked of you:

• Tell me something about yourself.

• Why did you leave your last position?

• Where do you see yourself in two years? Five years?

• Why should we hire you?

Don’t forget about those all-too-familiar behavioral questions, which dive deep into your thought processes, targeting specifics in your previous experiences. A couple examples of these are:

• Tell me a time when you felt your supervisor did not appreciate your work. How did you deal with it?

• Give me an example of a time when you set a goal and were able to meet or achieve it.

Next, learn more about the company and the hiring manager that you will be engaging with. Ask yourself, what are you going to do that will set you apart from other candidates?

Finally, dress to impress. Knowing what type of clothes most people at the company wear will help you in making a decision on the right look. Decide if you want to wear a full suit or dress, or a more casual look. Either way, be confident in your skin first; the rest is a piece of cake!

Bring at least three copies of your resume and references if you are planning to interview with two people. Having the extra copy shows you are ready and prepared.

The competition is fierce, but you can rest comfortably knowing that you are fully prepared for your interview. Only you can accomplish this task by taking the steps listed above. Having support from your friends and family can help alleviate the pressure. Come on, it’s OK to call on your biggest fans; I bet they are happy to support you!

Good luck on your interview!

Kimberly Doss is a managing partner with Key Placements, LLC and owner of Hammerhead Builders and Handyman Services. She can be reached at 650-814-4647 and www.keyplacements.com.