Interview With Precision 

1.  Do your homework

• Find out as much as you can about the employer and the role before the interview.
• A corporate Web site is an excellent source for this type of research.
• Check your local reference library for news or magazine articles on the company.
• Talk to other IT professionals who have worked with the organization before.

 2.  Role play  

• Practice your interview skills before meeting with a potential employer.
• The "role-play" is an excellent way to anticipate interview questions and to prepare answers.
• Have a friend or colleague play the interviewer while you rehearse your responses.
• Insist that your friend or colleague play a tough interviewer.
• Repeat the role-play several times until you feel confident and prepared.

 3.  Dress for success  

• While many organizations have adopted "business casual" attire, a business suit is usually the best choice for an interview.
• Alternatively, slacks and a button-down shirt, or a skirt with a blouse or sweater are suitable casual looks.
• T-shirts and blue jeans are almost never appropriate.
• Keep your outfit simple and professional, avoiding distracting jewelry, strong colognes, and flashy accessories.
• Ensure that you appear clean and neat to project a polished, professional image at all times.

4.  Know the logistics  

• Show your respect for the interviewer's time by being prompt for all appointments.
• Make sure you know exactly how to get to the interview site.
• Many organizations have multiple sites and/or buildings - know exactly where you need to go.
• Make time allowances for traffic or other delays.
• Bring along the name and telephone number of the person with whom you are scheduled to meet.
• If you absolutely must miss the interview, provide as much notice as possible so the meeting can be rescheduled with minimal disruption to the interviewer.
• Bring along an extra copy of your resume in case the interviewer does not have one. 

 5.  Bond with the interviewer  

• When you first meet the interviewer, make a great first impression.
• Greet the interviewer with a friendly smile, a firm handshake, and direct eye contact.
• Forming a bond with your interviewer can put you both at ease throughout your meeting.
• Show that you are a likeable person who will make a positive addition to the team.
• Thank the interviewer for taking the time to meet with you.

 6.  Talk  

• Begin by asking questions that will help you navigate the meeting.
• Determine what the interviewer considers to be the "ideal" candidate and shape discussions of your skills and experiences to that model.
• When you respond to questions, provide complete, detailed answers.
• When describing your skills, include related experiences such as courses you have taken, volunteer projects you have worked on, or similar technologies you are very familiar with.
• Try to keep your responses under 60 seconds in length, checking back with the interviewer to ensure the question has been adequately answered.

 7.  Listen  

• Avoid monopolizing the conversation - spend as much time listening as you do talking.
• Allow the interviewer to fully explain the opportunity to you and to gain some assurance that you are truly interested.
• Pay close attention to the questions asked and provide concise, informative answers.
• Listen for clues as to what the interviewer wants to hear.
• Active listening can help direct the conversation toward the skills and strengths that will help you win the position.

 8.  Think about your weaknesses ahead of time  

• Interviewers may ask you to list some of your weaknesses in addition to your strengths.
• These types of questions are not designed to trick you, but to test your honesty and how well you know yourself.
• As you describe weaknesses, discuss steps you are taking to improve, such as courses or additional reading.
• Your ability to admit to your minor weaknesses will reflect positively on you in an interview, particularly if you show dedication to improvement.
• Do not mention weaknesses directly related to the role at hand which will likely disqualify you right away.

 9.  Honesty is the best policy

• Take care not to exaggerate about skills you do not have.
• Overstating your skills may cause irreparable harm to your reputation later on.
• Speak honestly about all of your past interactions with colleagues, clients, and projects.
• If you are asked about negative past experiences, discuss these truthfully and tactfully.
• Explaining what you learned from negative experiences will illustrate your commitment to growth as a professional.

 10.  Remain positive  

• Frame all questions and comments so that they reflect positively on you.
• Pose all questions in a positive tone.
• Your tone will speak volumes about your attitude toward the position and your sense of professionalism.
• Ask about the job content before asking about compensation and benefits.

11. Recap pertinent information.

• By the end of the interview, ensure that you have all information you require to decide whether you want to accept the position.
• Be certain that you are clear on the role and what will be expected of you.
• Ask whether there will be adequate opportunity for advancement.
• Taking a moment to recap your discussions throughout the meeting will show that you are a good listener who is skilled at summarizing.

 12.  Close the interview by soliciting feedback  

• Before leaving the interview, solicit immediate feedback from the interviewer.
• Leave yourself the opportunity to uncover and address any unanswered questions or concerns.
• Focus on the negative, asking the interviewer exactly what might prevent him or her from bringing you into the organization.
• Close the interview only after all outstanding issues have been addressed.
• Thank the interviewer for his or her time and reiterate your interest in the position.