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INTERVIEW ESSENTIALS:What You Must Know

A greatcover letter, recommendation, orresumemight get you in the door, but its theinterviewthat will keep you there. A prospective employer wants to know that you are not only qualified, but that youre a good fit for the company. These essential tips will help you hone your interviewing skills, so you can be sure to show exactly why youre perfect for the job.Know the companyChances are youve alreadylearned some basic facts about the companythrough the application process. Now you need to develop those facts into a knowledge base that will prepare you to work there. Learn all you can about the companys position in the industry and where it fits in with current trends. Research the position you hope to fill.

Is it a new position? What unique qualifications do you bring? What will be expected of you?If its an existing position, try to find out why the person currently in the role is leaving.

Finally, learn about the interviewer and the person who will be your boss. The more you know, the easier it will be for you to prepare stories from your own experience that will illustrate why you are right for the job.

Know your valueInterviewing is about showing what makes you stand out above all the other applicants for a position. Take the time to prepare good answers to commonly asked interview questions.Go beyond canned answers to really show the value you bring to the company.Prepare storiesfrom your past experience that show why hiring you would be a good investment.

ListenSo much emphasis is placed on giving the right answer in an interview, that sometimes we miss the question. Listen to the interviewer with fresh ears, as if you know nothing about the company.

This will help you appear empathetic and show that you actually care about what the person has to say.

The image you project in an interview is sure to stick in the interviewers mind when making a decision, so make you dress professionally, be polite, and show your mastery of the language of business. It is important to project professionalism both before and after the interview. Long before interviewing you need to take the time to consider how your brand might appear to others.Be professional

Be yourself

Its often said that people dont hire resumes; they hire people. The interview is your opportunity to let companies know who you are and why youre right for them. Youve worked hard to create an image, but if that image isnt true to who you are, that will be painfully obvious in an interview.www.distinctiveweb.com

Michelle Dumas runs of one of the longest-standing and most respectedprofessional rsum writingfirms on the internet, Distinctive Career Services, LLC (dba Distinctive Documents). Since 1996, Michelle has empowered thousands of professionals with rsums that get results and win jobs fast. Get insider rsum writing tips that you won't find anywhere else at her website. Go now towww.distinctiveweb.comThe Internets Rsum & Career Marketing SpecialistsSince 1996www.distinctiveweb.com resumes@distinctiveweb.com (800) 644-9694Copyright 2014, Distinctive Career Services, LLC