It is exciting when the invitation comes for a personal interview for a coveted job. Do not lose your focus in the celebration of making the cut. Do not fantasize that once you are called, you are hired.

Being called for an interview means nothing unless you navigate the process successfully. The interview is typically the major decision-making component of the selection process. You can win or lose the job based on how you prepare and how you perform in the interview.

The first step is to prepare.

1. Research the company in advance

Learn everything you can about the company -- the company Web site will give you a good start. Look in other places on the Internet, and ask everyone you know. The library is still a good source of business information.

2. Prepare for questions

There are two types of questions posed in an interview: basic questions to obtain information, and strength assessment questions to evaluate you subjectively. You will typically be asked some of both.

Prepare your answers in anticipation of being asked. Practice by writing your responses to improve your thinking, organization and presentation.

• Basic questions

• "Why are you leaving your current job?"

• "What is your current salary?"

• "Describe what you do now?"

• "What kind of work do you want to do?"

• "How much notice will you be required to give?"

• "May I have references to call?"

• Strength assessment questions

These questions are designed to reveal the type of person you are, and assess your chemistry with the culture and management. Some illustrations of these questions are:

• "Without revealing any confidential information, would you describe a scenario that best illustrates your strengths as a _________?"

It is difficult to step back and assess your skills objectively but that is exactly what is happening to you in the interview, so it is smart to do it in advance yourself.

• "What if after joining our company we have to make a change to ______. What would you do?"

How you answer such a question will reveal much about your personality, flexibility, and reactions.

Practice answering these questions, and work on questions that you most fear you will be asked. You may not get the exact question right, but you will have thought through how to react, how to think on your feet, and how to organize information in a positive way. This exercise will generate self-confidence -- a major benefit in the interview.

Focus any of your own questions on the work itself or the future of the company. Do not ask any question whose answer is readily available elsewhere.

Be aware of what you should not do or say in an interview.

• Do not speak ill of your current company or supervisor, no matter what you may feel. Interviewers are warned off by negativity or complaining. Phrase any answers to questions neutrally and without emotion.

• Do not ask questions about holidays, time off, etc.

• Make no political or social comments.

• Do not volunteer information about your personal life.

The interview is not just a friendly chat about you and your experience. The interview is a test -- a complicated evaluation, with much at stake for your career. Like most tests, the better prepared you are, and the more effort you invest in preparation, the better the results will be.

Interviewers can tell if a candidate has prepared for the interview, and react favorably to the effort. Are you so very good that you can do without that competitive edge?

Next week the series A New Job: will continue with "Performing Well in the Interview."

Copyright © 1998, 1999 by D.E. Summerville. All rights reserved.

The advice and suggestions in the Women in Business column are solely those of the author. DC Web Women assumes no responsibility for its content.

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