If there is one part of growing up that is basically unavoidable, it is having to go on job interview after job interview as you move closer and closer to the job you want. Even though many of us have experienced this nerve-racking event several times already, it never stops being as stressful or as important. Being interviewed is all about showing the person across from you that you are the absolute best and that there is no need to look any further because you have everything they could ever want. This can be more than a little intimidating. Before an interview, it is important to remember that you have what it takes. Once you have done this, you can take a few additional steps to prepare for the big day.
First of all, it will probably help you practice answering the most common interview questions out loud a few times. While your interviewers could ask you anything, you will feel more comfortable answering if you have practiced ahead of time. Also, keep in mind that just saying "yes" or "no" and then sitting in silence is not going to leave the best impression. If they ask you if you are good at multitasking, tell them exactly how you have shown that you are good at it in the past. Stories will be much more effective than one-word answers.
Second of all, do your research on the place you are applying for. This is important for a couple of reasons, the first being that you should have a reason for applying there. If they ask you why you are interested in their work, and you have no idea what that work is, you probably won't seem like the best candidate. The second reason is that knowing a bit about the job will tell you what questions you still want to ask. You have probably been told over and over that it is good to ask questions in an interview, and it is! The trouble is knowing what to ask. So if you are doing your research and realize there are still a few holes that need to be filled, there are the questions you can ask. You don't have to try to come up with some completely random question that you really don't care about; simply ask what you want to know. It can be that easy to sound like you are interested and engaged in wanting to know more about the job.
Third, and finally, make sure you are put together before hand. Find a nice and appropriate outfit and make sure it isn't wrinkled beyond belief. Do not dump an entire bottle of perfume or cologne on yourself unless you want to make everyone dizzy from fumes. Prepare a perfect resume and reference list on good paper. All of these easy tasks and several others will make a vast difference in how well the interviewers perceive you.
Going into an interview can make you feel incredibly nervous, but knowing you have done everything you can to be ready for it will help you relax enough to blow your interviewers away.
