Before you arrive at your interview, there are several things you should be prepared for. I have divided my suggestions into Basics and Advanced sections. The Basics section includes reminders for how you can broadly prepare for your interview. The Advanced section includes my insights as a corporate hiring manager that can help you get into the right mindset.

THE BASICS

1. Research the company where you are interviewing.
   If the company is publicly traded, go to the investor section of the company web site and listen to the last quarter earnings call. The CEO and CFO will nicely summarize the company’s financial performance, outlook for the future and key strategies they are working on.

2. Typically, the hiring manager will tell the person in Human Resources (HR) assisting with the hiring what the ideal candidate looks like. When you are being screened by HR, be prepared to ask some questions, such as:
   • What is the ideal candidate?
   • What is the company culture like?
   • Who will be interviewing me and what is their position in the organization? What are they looking for?
   • Are there any key projects this position will be assigned?

3. Show up to the interview 10 minutes early.

4. Wear business attire even if it is a dress casual environment

5. Bring extra copies of your resumes and a notepad to take notes

6. When greeting the people you are interviewing with, use a firm handshake (do not crush) and smile warmly while looking them in the eye.

7. Have an opening line to break the ice, such as, “I know you have a busy schedule, so thank you for the opportunity to talk about this position”

8. Do your best to relax and be yourself. (Tip: Do this ahead of time. Practice with a friend answering basic questions about yourself so you speak naturally).

9. Listen to the person interviewing you. They will offer you hints about the things they want or key issues they are facing—tailor your answers to those things even if it is a bit off your script.

10. Make your answers brief; make sure things flow like a conversation.

11. Be prepared to answer the usual questions directly without rambling:
    • Tell me about yourself?
    • What do you know about this job?
    • What is your relevant work experience?
    • How would you handle a situation where someone disagrees with you?
    • How would you handle a situation where you don’t agree with the task you have assigned?
    • How do you handle conflict?
    • How would you handle an anger boss, co-worker or customer?
    • Think of some other specific situations and have an answer

ADVANCED INTERVIEWING TIPS

The three things hiring managers typically want to accomplish in an interview:

i) They are sizing you up to see if you are a fit with:
• The company culture
• The team you will be working on. Does your personality and your communication style fit?
• A person they feel they can work with (e.g. trust, get along with, will respect)

ii) How do you problem solve?
• Can you listen completely and ask good follow-up questions to assure there is a good understanding of the situation?
• Can you summarize the problem in a statement?
• Can you define the goal or end result desired?
• Can you craft a plan of action to achieve the result?

iii) Do you have the experience and skills necessary to perform the job?
It is very important you come across as a person that brings good things to the organization. Here are some positive attributes for you to reveal about yourself:
• Positive attitude
• Flexibility
• Depth of knowledge in your field without the need to be the smartest guy in the room
• Genuinely willing to help and do what is asked
• Collaborative—willing to seek input and receive feedback.
• A good listener
• Reliable, organized and experienced enough to begin contributing quickly
• A track record of success and sticking with challenges

2. I cannot over emphasize that your ideal interview flows like a conversation with a friend. You share things you have in common, you relate to the needs of the company/job, you have done this before and can bring a level of quality with your contribution. The key is to relate to each other in a personable manner.

3. Most hiring managers are actively working on in-flight projects, problems and issues. There is a good chance that your interview is sandwiched into in-between all those things. So, if you get the chance to ask about the key challenges facing their department or within the team to learn more about how you can help them if hired.

4. Act like you already have the job. Have your pen and paper ready and when you hear a specific from the Manager, jot it down. Take notes like you already work there and this is going to be your assignment. Let them watch you in action and ask one or two quick follow up questions and write down the answer.

5. Don’t make a rookie mistake. When you are interviewing, it is not the time or place to talk about what is “in it for you." Do not ask a hiring manager about:
   • Vacation policy or days off
   • Benefits
   • Pay raises

6. Your goal in an interview with a hiring manager is to show what you are bringing to them—not the other way around. You want to demonstrate that you are applying for the right reasons to contribute your skills and experience because you enjoy the work, challenges and environment.

7. Have a mindset that pay is not your driving factor, but that you are seeking the position because it fits your skill set, passion and life goal. This is how you want to spend your time and have faith that the compensation will work out in your favor.

8. If you get a final closing comment or question, say something that will help them remember you. For example, consider making a positive statement about the contributions you are ready to bring or asking about their timeline for making a decision.

9. Finally, thank them for their time and tell them you look forward to working with them. If you don’t have their business card, ask for it. Then write them a short thank you email at the end of the day and use something from the notes you took during the interview to highlight your readiness.

Good luck!