Using Interview Advice in Your Job Search

JobMetaSeek is the largest and most complete job search and career center on the Internet. If it is about jobs, or job hunting skills, you can find it here. We offer more than 100,000 links to all types of job and career resources for nearly every occupation, profession and industry. Take the Site Tour and see how this site can make any management, professional or executive job search more efficient and productive. Managers, professionals and executives are usually articulate individuals with excellent career and track records. They often do poorly in interviews because of a lack of serious preparation, and the belief that their accomplishments will speak for themselves. There can easily be hundreds of job applicants competing with you for the same position. Never think you are the only job candidate and never underestimate those who are competing with you. Unfortunately accomplishments don't speak for themselves and a well-prepared candidate with highly-developed interview skills often gets a position over a better qualified candidate that was poorly prepared.

For mid level and higher positions the interview is not only used for gathering information about a candidate's experience and qualifications, it is a method of assessing management and presentation skills. Every aspect of the entire interview process is evaluated. Companies are not only interested in the candidate's qualifications but how well the individual will fit into the organization.

The biggest mistake in interviewing is not being fully prepared. Job Seekers must use every conceivable means possible to prepare for the interview and to allow ample time to fully prepare. Understand that interviewing is a skill and as with all skills, preparation and practice enhance the quality of that skill. Preparation can make the difference between getting an offer and getting rejected.

There is no one best way to prepare for an interview. Rather, there are specific and important strategies to enhance one's chances for interview success. Research sample interview questions and answers, learn about the various types of interview techniques. Research the company, industry trends and prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer. If you don't know what to expect it is unlikely that you will be able to successfully convey your qualifications and interest in the position. Studies show that most interviewers are looking for reasons not to hire a candidate so you must overcome this resistance.

The Interview Directory is a comprehensive list of links to interviewing tips, sample interview questions, practice interviews, answer strategies and interview thank you letters.