Before the Interview

These basics all contribute to a professional demeanor that is fundamental in the interview process.

• Be on Time - You should arrive at least 5-10 minutes prior to the interview. Nothing leaves a worse first impression than keeping the interviewer waiting, regardless of the reason. If you are late due to an emergency, phone ahead.
• Know Where You Are Going - If you have not been to the place where your interview will be, it is a good idea to visit before the day of your interview so that you can plan what route you will take and where you will park. Once you know where you are going then you can make sure to give yourself sufficient time to get there.
• Get Food and Rest - Equip your body with enough food and rest before the interview. This will help you to feel your best, which in turn will help you to look and perform your best.
• Dress Properly - Dress for success - you will be judged by your appearance. As a general rule you should dress one stage up from what the position itself would require or suggest. For most office-type positions, both males and females should wear formal business attire. Also make sure that your clothing is clean and that you are well groomed with natural looking make-up and hair.
• Bring the Necessities - If possible, prepare a portfolio of your best work to show the employer. This is more relevant for certain occupations, but can be appropriate in many different circumstances. Before the interview you should prepare a list of references to bring with you. You may also want to bring letters of recommendation. Finally, extra copies of transcripts, resumes, or other relevant documents will be handly. You will look professional if you can save your employer the trouble of photocopying.

Being Prepared

Your objective at the interview is to be able to describe your skills as they relate to the position or organization, and to evaluate whether the position is one that you want. In order to do this, you should first ensure that you know the employer, the industry, and yourself. Then you should prepare questions to ask at the interview, answers for questions that you think you will be asked at the interview, and examples (to supplement these answers) that demonstrate your skills and abilities. Finally, you should rehearse in an interview-like situation.

• Research the Employer and Industry - This impresses your potential employer and put you a step ahead of others. Just as importantly, it may also help you to decide if you want to work for this employer and in this industry. Find out about the organization's size, structure, history, products/services, customers/clients, competitors, geographic locations, and any current news. Also put some time into researching issues, trends, and current events in the field. Such information can be found at your campus career centre (company literature) the library (periodicals, magazines), by contacting the company itself (annual reports, recruitment or public relations literature), through networking (talking to those who work at the company or within the industry) as well as on the Internet (company Website). 
• Research the Position - To find out information about the position you can consult the job description if it is available, or conduct an informational interview with someone in a similar position/occupation.
• Have Questions Prepared - Make a list of questions that you would like to have answered at the interview. See Questions You Can Ask for an idea of some of the things that you might want to inquire about. Remember that the interview is as much a chance for you to evaluate the employer and position as it is for the interviewer to evaluate you. Also, this is your chance to demonstrate your knowledge about the firm.
• Know Yourself - You should be able to identify and articulate your interests, transferable skills and abilities, key accomplishments, and personal and professional strengths and weaknesses. Think carefully about what you want to impart at the interview and how you will do so. 
• Review Your Résumé - Look over your résumé and a copy of the cover letter that you sent to this employer. You should be able to expand upon every point and to answer any question about the information in these documents, especially those areas which might be of concern to the employer. 
• Prepare Answers to Common Questions - As certain types of questions are asked in most interviews, be prepared, and plan how you will answer them. Be sure that you relate all of your answers to the position. Here are some Questions They MIght Ask. 
• Think of Examples Demonstrating Your Skills - To supplement your answers, you should prepare examples that demonstrate your relevant transferable skills. For each skill be ready to describe a situation from your past work (or academic) experience where you used it effectively. 
• Rehearse - Once you know what you want to ask and how you will answer questions at the interview you should practice with a friend or professional. Many college career offices have a mock interview service. Take advantage of this - it will make a difference! The more you practice your answers, the more confidence you will have and the more coherent and effective you will be at the actual interview.