Author: Nigel Patterson

If you've won an interview for a job, that's cause for celebration
in itself. It shows that your prospective employer considers you to
be a viable candidate for the position you want. Now it's time for
you to brush up your interview skills and get ready to show your
'best self' to help you land the job you dream of.
Careful preparation is an essential component of a polished
interview performance to help you outperform the competition. How
much do you already know about the hiring company? Do you know who
will be interviewing you? What sort of tough questions could come
up—and how would you deal with them?
Feeling nervous already? Don't worry, that's energy you can turn
to your advantage. Doing thorough homework helps to get you ready
emotionally as well as intellectually to make your best impression.
Here are four ways to get ready for the challenge of an interview
and market yourself effectively.
1. Find out as much as you can about the company you want to work
for. Don't be caught out by topics that expose gaps in your
understanding of the business or industry. Good background
knowledge can help you deal with those tricky interview questions
that require you to 'think on your feet'. You may also discover
relevant topics and pressing concerns that you can research in
advance.

Visit the company website and find out the names
and roles of key personnel
Research the main departments and the products or
services that the company offers
Do an online search for news items, press releases
and other useful information

2. Learn about your interviewer. If you'll be meeting more than
one person, try to find out in advance what each of them does for
the company and see if there's information about their recent
achievements and activities; there may be an opportunity to refer
to some of these details in your interview. Show your interest and
enthusiasm for the job by being well-briefed on important issues.
3. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. A practice interview can help you
to anticipate major discussion points and get experience in dealing
with tough questions. And don't just focus on the content of your
answers: interviewers gain a lot of information from non-verbal
cues and body language. If you're practicing with a friend, ask for
feedback on the impact of your delivery and gestures.
4. Be organized. Keep a checklist in the days leading up to the
interview date. Savvy interviewees know the value of preparing for
the unexpected—so make sure that you have essential items at
the ready, such as a pen (that works!) and paper for notes, a spare
copy of your resume, and a supply of business cards, if you use
them. It's also useful to have a mental list of questions that you
might want to ask the interviewer.
The knowledge that you've prepared thoroughly for an interview
contributes to a calm and positive attitude—and don't forget
the importance of a good night's sleep beforehand to help you stay
confident and alert!

Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.com/interviews-articles/job-interview-tips-why-preparation-pays-off-49109.html

About the Author:
Nigel Patterson is a business writer and publisher of
http://1stClassResume.com

Visit his website for more job interview tips, resume help and
samples of resumes and cover letters.