It is always a good idea to research a company before the interview. The more you know about the company, the more confident you will be. This, in turn, will impress the prospective employer.

There are many ways to obtain company information. Some ideas may be to check local newspapers and magazines for recent articles or ask friends and family if they have heard anything about the organization. The Internet is an excellent source of information. A company’s web page usually gives a thorough description of the company’s mission, accomplishments and sometimes employee bios. Any information, statistics or current developments concerning the company that you can learn in advance will give you a competitive edge when interviewing.

Be prepared!

These days, many employers use the phone screen as an interviewing tool, especially in the early stages of the application process. It is a more convenient way to speak to candidates and a way to involve multiple company decision makers. Telephone screening has its pros and cons; the flexibility it provides for the applicant is great, but it does make it hard to read the usual visual indications that often help to see the mood of a face-to-face interview. Here are some tips to show your best self with only your voice as your guide.

• · Nix the pajamas. You will probably perform more professionally if you put yourself together before the call.

• · Respect your current employer. Try to arrange the interview for after work hours or at least during your lunch break.

• · No distractions. Find out in advance how long the call will be and make certain you will be in a private, quiet place for the whole interview.

• · Sharpen your pencils. Take best advantage of your interview by having your resume, cover letter and your best projects to refer to and take notes while you talk.

• · Take it slow. Keep in mind that your interviewer will be taking notes too.

• · Cell phone coverage. As convenient as they are, cell phones tend to break up. There’s nothing more frustrating than a phone conversation that fades in and out or drops. Try to use a land line for phone screens, but if you can’t, be sure you are in a quiet place with good coverage.

An interview is your opportunity to make a good first impression. This is why it is imperative to be on time. Whether it is a phone interview or an in-person interview, being on time shows that you are responsible. If you have a morning interview, be sure to check and double-check your alarm the night before to be sure it is set for the correct time. Get up extra early so that you are well-prepared and alert by the time of your interview. Although it is generally good to be early, don’t be too early. Employers schedule interviews for a specific time for a reason. They often are interviewing on a tight schedule, and showing up more than 10-15 minutes before your scheduled interview can throw off the schedule. It is best to arrive a few minutes early or right on time. If you arrive at your destination earlier than planned, sit in your car or go to a coffee shop down the block until it is time for your scheduled interview. Also, be sure to bring the phone number of the person you are meeting. If you are running late for any reason, call the interviewer as soon as possible.

Follow-up can significantly affect whether or not an offer is extended. Following up after an interview addresses a key employer concern: your interest level in the position. In addition, you are demonstrating, by the very act of following up, personal and professional qualities that are typically sought by an employer: dedication, tenacity, attention to detail, and the ability to follow through. In some instances, employers may even use the lack of follow-up as a screening device meaning, it’s a way to narrow down the number of candidates to a short list and those who do follow-up ultimately become finalists.

The best ways to following up after an interview are listed here from Career Perfect.

Great! You got an interview! Now what? You need to do your homework. Don’t try to wing it. You have to prepare extensively. Adele Scheele recommends the following ways to prep yourself successfully for an interview.

• Expect the inevitable questions. Assume they do not remember your resume. This might include the following questions:

Why should we hire you?
Why do you want to work for our company?
What are your strengths/weaknesses?
What happened in your last job?
Do you have any questions for me?

• For every question, have specific examples in your mind that you can use.

Practice doing this with a smile on your face, in front of a mirror.

• Fully describe situations you were in and the outcomes. Use the “STAR” technique.

Situation: Describe your past work/project situation.

Task: What was the specific task you were working on?

Action: What action did you take?

Result:What was the result/outcome of the situation?

• Self-evaluate and have an answer for why they should hire you.

Cite your talent, proven track record and contribution to your past teams or organizations.

• Present yourself well.

Appearance – Show up neat and polished in professional attire. Find out how they dress and use it as your grooming guide.

Knowledge – You must show that you know about the organization, as well as the position you are applying for. Do an online comprehensive search of the company and gather as much information as possible.

• Don’t forget the little things.

Know the location of where you’re going and how to get there, including parking.

Allow plenty of time to arrive. Don’t be late!
Print and bring multiple copies of your resume and references.

Check in with the people you are planning to list as a reference.