Landing a job interview is a great happening; converting it into a job is even more challenging. Unless you are adequately prepared for it, you are most unlikely to succeed. This is an opportunity where, within a brief spell of one-to-one interaction, you have to sell yourself and convince the people on the other side of the table that you are the best and the most right person they are looking out for the job. A systematic preparation keeps you well ahead in the race. Take these tips:

1. Know the company: Your interviewer would be very happy to see in you a well-informed person about the company. Most companies have an online presence and you can download their Annual Report from their site. Take notes of the important aspects of physical and financial performance. Know their organizational set up. Since memorizing absolute figures may be difficult, keep percent figures in mind. Say, out of the total turnover of $450 billions of the company in 2005-06, Asian markets contributed $68 billion. Though this is a simple example, you may find remembering the 68 figure difficult. Instead, go for percent figures-the Asian market contributed 15% of the total sales. By quoting figures, you show to what depth you have gone in understanding the company. This creates a very positive impression.

2. Have a Professional Resume: Convert your standard resume to a professional resume targeted for this particular job. List your skills, aptitudes, real life experience, target realization, outstanding turnarounds and all such attributes that create a very impressive rating about you as a worker. Orient them to the requirements of this company and the job and demonstrate convincingly how you can create more value to the company.

3. Prepare the Typical Questions: There are always some typical questions like describing yourself, your interest for this job, your past experience etc. Have responses to these questions prepared beforehand and you must rehearse with them to perfect your delivery and enunciation. Talk slowly, after listening to the question in full and state those things only which you surely know. Have a good reading of that days newspapers and keep in mind important news, if any relating to the sector in which the company operates.

Rest is your good luck!

The Interview Wizard

Vikesh Ghelani
http://www.interview-wizard.com