YES! You just got the call and the interview is scheduled for tomorrow.  This is what you have been waiting for.  But, are you ready?  The most successful job seekers, the ones who find the best jobs the fastest, know three things.  (1)  They know exactly what they want in their next job.  (2)  They know what they have to offer the employer that differentiates them from the competition.  (3)  They know their value.  Preparation is the key to a successful interview.  When you are prepared, you will be confident and self-assured, which makes you very appealing to the interviewer.  Here is a list of questions to help you prepare.  If you have clear, strong answers to these questions, you are well on your way to acing the interview.

1. Do you know exactly what type of job is right for you? If they ask you, what will you say?

2. What do you have to offer the company that is uniquely you and that is different from your competitors?

3. What is your branding statement and how will you use it during the interview?

4. What is your value proposition and how will you incorporate it into the interview?

5. What are the three to five attributes you bring to the job that you will emphasize throughout the interview?

6. Do you have accomplishment stories for each of the attributes you identified in Question No. 5?

7. Have you prepared answers for the most commonly asked interview questions?

a. Are your prepared answers each 60 seconds or less?

b. Are your answers succinct and to the point?

c. Do they incorporate your three to five attributes?

d. Do you include stories?

8. Are you prepared to answer any questions that might be raised from your resume?

9. Have you thoroughly researched the company?

10. Have you researched the hiring manager and others in the company?

11. Do you have a list of questions you want to ask during the interview?

a. Do those questions show your curiosity and interest in ensuring the company, the job, and the manager are the right fit for you?

b. If asked, can you explain why you are asking each question and what answer you are looking for? For example, if you ask about the company culture, can you explain what type of culture you prefer?

12. Are you comfortable with silence?

13. Can you stay on message and not say more than necessary?

14. Do you have the proper clothes ready?

15. Will you remember to sit up straight, lean forward to show interest, maintain good eye contact, and smile?

16. Will you remember to listen carefully to what they tell you they are looking for and incorporate their description into your answers?

17. Can you keep the interview conversational, asking the interviewer(s) questions as you go along?

18. Do you have your research documentation, additional copies of your resume, your reference letters, your portfolio, and anything else you want to take with you to the interview neatly organized and ready to go?

19. Is there any reason they wouldn’t hire you? If so, resolve the issue and overcome any objections.

Now, you’re ready. Best of luck!

I was talking with a job seeker the other day who said she was told she didn’t get the job because they didn’t consider her a good cultural fit.  It’s true that more and more companies are placing less emphasis on experience and more emphasis on cultural fit. This is a huge plus for the job seeker because a company that is concerned about cultural fit is more likely to be concerned about their employees’ well-being and job satisfaction.  As a job seeker, you want job fit and cultural fit, so finding an employer with the same goals is ideal.

As you are researching companies to target in your job search, you want to identify their company culture to determine your fit.  A company’s culture is its personality.  It includes how people dress, how they interact during working hours and outside of work, the hours they work, the level of cooperation and/or competition among employees, and even how employees keep their office space.  The culture includes the company’s values, and it will affect how you do your work, your daily comfort level at work, and your career growth and opportunities.  When you focus your job search on companies that have the right cultural fit for you, you job search will be more productive and you will get greater satisfaction from your new position.

Attention:  Live in Overland Park, Kansas — Perfect-fit Workshops start April 19!  You don’t need to struggle in your job search anymore, let me guide you step-by-step to re-employment in record time.  My program is comprehensive, customized to your needs, and goes well beyond what any outplacement firm has to offer.  You will leave my workshops 100% prepared to take your job search to the next level and land your dream job.  Register now at http://www.occupationalzen.com/program-enrollment.html