10 Steps to a Successful Interview

1. Research the company before the interview.
   Important information to gather includes the company's major products or services and major competitors, latest news on the company or industry news that affects the company, locations other than in your community, and organizational structure of the company.
   
   
2. Exhibit a professional appearance.
   Hair and nails should be well groomed and clothes should be clean and pressed. Dress professionally and conservatively. Even if the company does not have a dress code, it is better to overdress than to underdress.
   
   
3. Arrive 5-10 minutes early.
   The extra minutes will give you time to fill out any forms or applications and read company materials.
   
   
4. Make a positive first impression.
   Introduce yourself in an assertive and courteous manner. Smile warmly and have a firm handshake. Don't assume the person who greets you is the receptionist. Listen to be sure you understand your interviewer's name and the correct pronunciation.
   
   
5. Communicate effectively.
   Listen carefully to what your interviewer is saying so you can respond competently. Speak clearly and avoid using slang. Use appropriate wording and be concise and direct in your answers - using big words won't earn you extra points. Use technical terms only when appropriate to the conversation.
   
   
6. Use body language to show interest.
   Give nonverbal feedback to the interviewer: smile, nod and maintain eye contact. Sit comfortably in the chair and don't fidget or slouch.
   
   
7. Ask Questions.
   This is essential. Having no questions prepared sends the message that you have no independent thought process and you are not truly interested in the position. Ask questions about the position, the desired qualities in a candidate, and the goals for the position, for example. Do not ask questions that are clearly answered on the employer's web site and/or in any literature provided to you in advance. This simply reveals that you are unprepared and wastes the employer's time. Never ask about salary and benefits issues until those subjects are raised by the employer.
   
   
8. Express interest in the position.
   The best way to convey that you are interested in the position is to simply say so. Ask about the next step in the hiring process. Find out whether there will be another round of interviews, whether you should provide additional information, and when a decision will be made.
   
   
9. Thank the interviewer.
   Shake each interviewer's hand and thank him or her by name.
   
   
10. Write a thank-you letter to anyone you have spoken to as soon as possible after the interview.
    A thank you letter shows appreciation for the employer's interest in you, and reiterates your interest in the position. You can also take this opportunity to remind the employer about your qualifications.