One of the most important messages essential to grasp is that the better prepared you are before an interview, the better your chances will be of success. You should practice your techniques and think out in advance any questions that could potentially cause you difficulty. If you can have developed a plausible answer to explain any weakness an interviewer may perceive, so much the better. Nevertheless, it can be just as important to demonstrate that you know something about a prospective employer – indeed the more the better.

In most instances you will have a few days prior notice of an interview, so put some of the time to good use. See what information you can find out about the concern you wish to work for, its business standing, finances, services/products, recent developments, markets, competitors, culture, senior staff, history and prospects. Likely sources of information are:

The Company itself

Library

Visit your local business library and seek help of an assistant librarian who will be only too pleased to identify the various reference sources carried. Become familiar with the following:

Personal Contacts

Do not forget to use your network of contacts who may well have the first hand knowledge of the business and what it is like to work for – perhaps you can even speak to someone who is currently employed there.

A Word of Warning

Although you are strongly advised to be well prepared, do not go over the top. Remember, if the interviewer sees you as a threat, especially if he is your prospective boss, you are not likely to receive a job offer.

And finally don’t forget to take with you: