Get Informed For The Interview

Professional Insight wants to help you get your interview off to the right start. These tips can help you prepare more effectively. Proper preparation helps alleviate some of the stress involved.

Helpful Interview Tips

• Arrive at least 15 to 20 minutes early. Traffic in Atlanta is unpredictable. Check your PDA if you need to kill time, but never show up late.
• Be sure you have looked through the company's URL thoroughly. Know who you are asking for and what their title is. A Human Resource person will likely conduct a different kind of interview than a Director of Development.
• Answer the interviewer's questions as specifically as you can or have them clarify the question. Be sure to relate your technical skills and background to the position requirements throughout the interview by making analogous comparisons.
• Smile and make eye contact. Show enthusiasm and express interest in the company/position. Nobody wants to hire a person who seems morose.
• Anticipate tough questions. If a company doesn't ask any tough questions, you likely will not be challenged there, so be ready and if you don't know something, admit it.
• Dress sharp. Make your first impression a professional one.
• Ask questions. An interview should be a mutual exchange of information, not a one-sided conversation.
• Listen to the person who is speaking. So many people get caught up in what they are going to say when it's their turn and end up responding off topic.
• Always avoid speaking of past employers or ex-coworkers in a negative light. Even if it's deserved, it will make you seem bitter.
• Once you get back to work or home after the interview, send a quick "thank you" e-mail. Keep it short and sweet; do not ramble on and on.
• Lastly, if you were sent on the interview by a recruiter, call him and let him know your thoughts on the interview.