Prepare to Ace the Interview

Part 1: Do Your Homework

Preparing to ace the interview actually begins when you match your SKA’s  (Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities) from your résumé to the requirements of the advertised job. Read each requirement of the job and rate yourself, objectively, by matching your skills. You may benefit from listing or printing out the requirements, and rating yourself as an excellent, good, or poor match. When you are finished, all responses should be either excellent, or good. A poor match in the published job requirements and your SKA’s will probably keep you from acing the interview. 

However, you can still present your résumé, since you may be qualified for the job at the same or greater level than any of the other candidates. But now, you really must do well in the interview. Review the requirements that you rated as a poor match to your skills. Determine how you can overcome any objections of the interviewer, to your lack of skills in that particular area. Figure out how you can compensate in another area, while you adapt your skills to their requirements, and be ready to discuss your plan fully. If there are several requirements you rate as poor, you probably could spend your time better, searching for jobs that are a closer match. 

If you have access to the Internet and you can find the prospective employers web site, spend time reviewing their products or services and determine how your SKA’s fit their business. If the company is a manufacturer and you have a manufacturing background, visualize the process they use in fabricating their products. Understanding the process before you go to an interview allows you to better answer questions, from the interviewer’s perspective. Do the same for service industries; understand the process and prepare answers to potential questions from the perspective of the interviewer. If it is possible to find someone in the organization that can explain the process, pursue that angle. It is up to you to show how your SKA’s adapt to the needs of the prospective employer. 

Even though preparing to answer interviewer’s questions is a subject for another article; you should always be prepared to answer this one. “Tell me something about yourself.” During my years or interviewing, I probably saw more people struggle with this question, than any other. Instead of getting tense with sweaty palms and quivering voice, plan your answer. Write it out, if you must, and rehearse it until you can recite it naturally, and confidently. Use this opportunity to sell your SKA’s to the prospective employer. Talk about your strengths and how they were used in your key accomplishments. There are times for modesty, but this isn’t one. Remember though, only present accurate verifiable accomplishments. Do not reference any weaknesses, or shortcomings in your experience or SKA’s. 

If you have been to interviews and know which subjects gave you problems, now is the time to review and prepare great responses. Just as in the previous question write out your answers and rehearse responding. Use video, or practice with a friend. You want your responses to be natural, confident and convincing.

Later we will cover some of the most important of the basic questions that have the greatest potential to derail your interview and chances of an offer. However, this should get you through the first step in acing the interview. 

Remember, to get interviews you first need a great résumé. Get your résumé here.

© Copyright 2006 by David Posival, all rights reserved. Reprint permissions