Congratulations, you’ve landed an interview! Now your goal is to prepare for a successful interview and get the position. An interview is a basic information exchange, but a formal one. The better the rapport between you and the interviewer, the more successful it will be.

You’ll need to focus some of your energy on “selling” yourself. Your two main goals for the interview should be:

• Clearly and accurately communicate your skills and qualifications.
• Connect your skills to the position requirements.

The interviewer’s main goal is to assess how closely your qualifications match the requirements of the position. The interviewer will also want to present the organization and position positively, and supply accurate information to you.

• Practice answering questions you might be asked. Think about what you want to emphasize during the interview, what you don’t want to emphasize, and what your strengths and weaknesses are. Write them down and memorize them. The more you practice, the less likely you are to forget or be nervous. (See Typical Interview Questions for more help.)
  
• Consider doing a mock interview so you can assess your interviewing strengths and weaknesses. The Career and Community Learning Center offers free mock interviews to CLA students. For information or to schedule a mock interview, visit us in 135 Johnston Hall or call 612-624-7577.
• Research the position and the organization before the interview. If they have a Web site, review it thoroughly. Make it clear to them in the interview that you’ve done your homework and know some basics about their organization. This will let them know you’re serious about the position.
• Prepare some questions to ask the interviewer about the position and company. Prepare questions that reflect your knowledge of the position and company, and some that will help you form your own opinion about them. Your first goal is to impress the interviewer, but you also want to determine if the position/organization is a good fit for you. Would you be happy working there? (See Questions to Ask the Interviewer for more help.)
  
• Write down the time and location of your interview, and the name of the person interviewing you. Get good directions. If possible, check out the location before your interview. That way you won’t be late because you couldn’t find the building or parking.
• Dress appropriately. First impressions are important. If you need tips about interview attire, see What to Wear, or stop by the Career and Community Learning Center for tips from a Peer Advisor.
• Bring extra copies of your resume to the interview. Place them in a folder or briefcase. Be sure you take any information you’ve been asked to bring (resume, references list, transcripts, etc.). Take copies of your resume and references either way, and have your papers arranged for easy reference.
• Be prepared for the possibility of skills tests, proofreading tests, personality assessments, or anything like that. Find out before the interview whether you’ll be asked to take a test of some kind. If so, try to research the type of assessment it is and practice before you go.
• The most important tip is to remember to be yourself! Do advance research and preparation, but be sure to act naturally in the interview. You don’t want to come across as too rehearsed or phony. People hire people they trust and like, so let them get to know the real you.