Pre-Job-Interview Checklist

So you’ve written a compelling cover letter, a killer resume, and got the call:  they want you to come in for an interview.  Congratulations!  But the hardest part is still to come.  Job interviews can be terrifying for many people solely due to the social aspect.  Add in the fact that panel interviews and technical interviews (they make you take a technical skills test) are common in many industries and you have a recipe for disaster if you’re not prepared.  To that end, here’s a list of things you need to do before each and every interview to make sure you’re prepared.

1. Do Your Homework- Research the company you’ll be interviewing for, their various lines of business, recent news stories (was there a merger, spin-off, PR debacle, etc?), basic history, structure, products and services, and strategic vision.  Knowing where a company has been and where it’s going will help set you apart from the 20 other people interviewing for the job.
2. Scour The Job Description For Clues – Look closely at the job description.  What types of skills are they explicitly looking for?  Just as important, what kinds of skills do they not mention you think might be useful for the job?   They are usually soft skills like communication, interpersonal skills, foreign language experience, etc.  Don’t make them spell it out for you:  anticipate their needs and assure potential employers you can help fulfill them without being asked.
3. Brush Up On Pertinent Skills – There may be one or two relevant skills on your resume you haven’t used in a while.  Use the days leading up to your interview to brush up on them.  If the job calls for Java and you’ve spend the last two years coding C++, break out the old Java book and brush up.  Remember, you may be tested.
4. Jot Down Past Relevant Accomplishments - It helps to have a list of your past relevant accomplishments to refer to during the interview to make sure you cover everything.  Did you do something similar a few years ago at a previous employer?  If you don’t write it down, you may forget to bring it up.  The job description can help you here.
5. Get A Haircut – First impressions are important.  Always get a fresh hair cut within 2 or 3 days of an interview.
6. Make Sure Your Suit Still Fits In Advance – There’s nothing worse than realizing you’ve put on a few pounds and can no longer fit into your suit an hour before your interview.  Try it on a few days in advance and if it doesn’t fit properly, have it tailored or buy a new one.  Many people don’t realize a proper fit can make or break the suit.  The nicest suit in the world will look horrible if it doesn’t fit properly.  First impressions matter.
7. Print Multiple Copies Of Your Resume – Print multiple copies of your resume and carry them with you in a brief-case or one of those black executive notebooks.  You’ll also use this notebook to take notes during your interview.
8. Jot Down A Few Questions For The Interviewer - When the interviewer asks you if you have any questions, you’d better not say no.  Anything related to the work environment, corporate philosophy, future promotion prospects, etc is fair game.  Just keep them positive. 
9. Arrive Ten Minutes Early – If you can’t arrive on time, you might as well not even show up because you’re not getting the job.
10. Greet With Confidence – Be friendly, enthusiastic, and affable.  Offer a firm handshake and don’t forget to smile.  Self-confidence is the word of the day, here.