Congratulations - you landed the interview! Now what? Whether you're a seasoned professional or seeking your first entry-level professional position, interviewing is NOT easy, nor should the process be taken lightly. With thorough preparation, research and practice, you can make the process less painful. 

In order to make a good impression, your first job is to be prepared. The employer now knows something about you through your resume and probably a phone call and is now ready to give you some of his valuable time to learn more about you. The question is, what do you know about the employer besides the fact that they are the largest employer in your area and "a great place to work?" Actively perform some company research so you can honestly answer the question that will be asked 98% of the time - "So what do you know about us?"And then of course, "Why do you want to work here?" You want to be able to intelligently discuss what you know about the company, and you can easily find that information through research on-line (www.hoovers.com), the company website, or by visiting your local library and/or Chamber of Commerce. Try to zero in on one or two particular pieces of information that YOU find especially interesting, not necessarily the news item that was just flashed on yesterday's broadcast - it will show a little more initiative and give the employer a better perspective on who you are.

Try to learn if you will be interviewing with one person or several key players; if you are told that you will be meeting more than one person, try to determine their role in the company. Be prepared to answer why you WANT the job and what led you to pursue this particular company. Even (or particularly) if you've sent out hundreds of resumes, you need to be able to convey to the employer a genuine interest in the position you applied for. You should be able to clearly present your skills, qualifications and past experience in a positive way, in particular, a manner which exhibits to the company what you can do for THEM, not the other way around. In addition to using this as your shining moment, and no matter how well you do in explaining why you will be the perfect candidate, don't forget to prepare yourself for answering the tough questions. Practice, practice, practice - that old maxim holds true for interviewing too.

An interview is not the place to "wing it," no matter how qualified you are, how many degrees you hold, or HOW well you have been accepted at your past positions. Try videotaping yourself; you'd be amazed at what we take for granted in our everyday speech patterns. When is the last time you REALLY looked at yourself speaking? You may or may not be comfortable with how you appear on film, but it's the perfect opportunity to see what the interviewer will. You want to sound and look confident, not stiff - approachable, but professional. If youre sincere about your goals, establish your knowledge about the company and remain confident about the contributions you can make, you stand a very GOOD chance of making the final cut - even better when you REMEMBER to send the thank-you letter!

Classic (and some hard) interview questions to "practice."

There is NO WAY we can even begin to provide specific answers to these questions, since each interview is different. But we CAN get you thinking of answers you can tailor to your own background. Try to think of at least two for each question. The more prepared you are, the more professional you'll appear.

Tell me about yourself (be brief and keep the information sharing on a professional level.)

What do you know about us? (if you didn't do your research, this is where you'll fail.)

Why do you want this position? (stay away from "money" and/or benefits - focus on the fact that you enjoy doing such and such, look forward to contributing, etc.)

Where do you see yourself in 5 years? (a good answer is, "doing something that gives me a feeling of professional accomplishment")

What is your biggest weakness? (relate it to a positive - "Im a perfectionist, but Im working on it" or "Computers are not my strong point, but I've been taking classes to get me up to speed and I'm really enjoying them") - This would NOT be a good choice if you are applying for a computer operator position, but you get the point!

Why did you leave your last position? (reached highest level; downsized; wish to learn more - if you were fired, you have to say so, then smoothly get back on track without sounding negative or spending too much time discussing it)

Why should we hire you? (again, play up your strong points, marketable skills and how the two can help them achieve objectives)

Are you willing to work overtime? (if you really refuse to do this, it's best to ask what does overtime "typically" mean; if one hour a week is too much for you, you should be honest to avoid later resentment should you take the job anyhow)

How do you handle rejection? (this is a good question for people applying for sales position, and you should be prepared with a positive example)

How can you explain these gaps in your history? (you have to be able to explain this - "I was seriously searching for the right opportunity with the best company," or something positive)

Why do you keep changing jobs? (again, relate to something positive - better opportunities for acquiring new skills, more visibility, etc. - now you are ready to make that diverse background pay off!)

Now, do you have any questions? (try to get specifics about exact responsibilities, expectations, special skills you'll need, why the last person left, who will be your direct supervisor, advancement opportunities, turnover rate, training schedule, etc.) This isn't the time to talk about money and benefits.

If you have unique circumstances, you may wihs to consider career coaching. These situations can include a history of job hopping, changing careers or being fired.