Being Prepared

You never get a second chance to make a first impression. That's certainly true for your interview as well.
You need to convince the employer that you're the right candidate for the job and make that first
impression count. So how do you make the most of this opportunity?
The answer lies in one word - preparation. Below are a few steps that will help you with the preparation
process.

Stalk! ...Umm we mean Research

Start by learning as much as you can about the company. We don’t just mean read their ‘about us’
section on their website. Know what they do – in detail! Here’s what you should be ideally looking for:

• Which Industry?
• Goals & objectives
• What kind of market are they targeting?
• Any recent news about the company (events, publications, or awards)

Next thing you need to research on is the job description. Know exactly what the job description entails,
if you don’t quite know what some of the terms mean, find out! Each company may have different job
descriptions for the job title; make use of your trusty Google and find out the kind of activities and
responsibilities associated with that title. Once you’re at the interview, you’ll figure out how that
company does things differently.
The last thing you need to do research on is the person you’re meeting to find out what their
designation is. It’s always a bonus to try and find ways to connect through similar interests or
backgrounds.
It’s safe to say that you will find a lot of the information you need through the company’s website. This is
not the only source though. LinkedIn, Hoovers, and Zawya are also great websites to use for bigger
companies. As long as you understand the fine line between being diligent and being a stalker, you’re
good.

Prep Work
Go through a list of generic interview questions along with industry specific questions and answer them.

You can also prepare in advance by practicing out loud or asking a friend to go through the questions
with you and give you feedback. Find out if you have anyone you know on a personal level working at
this company & quiz them about the company and your interviewer. This will help make you more
comfortable and confident.

Remember, the most important part of preparation is for you to feel good about yourself and know that
you bring a lot of value to the workplace too!