Just like your professional career, your success in interviewing is largely measured by how well and how seriously you apply yourself. Interviewing is not as hard as you think. Think of it as simply a 30-60 minute opportunity to paint a picture of your experiences, skills, talents and examples of how you have successfully done your job and benefited both your organization and those around you. Most importantly remember it is critical that for every interview you prepare yourself to answer these questions...

Three Key Interview Questions

1. What job/career is the company interviewing me for and what have they expressly indicated they are looking for based within the context of the job description? (Think how do you match the position and the company?)
2. What have I done during my career that is a great example and indication of my skills and abilities to meet the requirements of the position I am interviewing for and that I can share with the Interviewer? (Think how can you paint a word picture of yourself with examples of how you have previously worked in this same type of position?)
3. In addition to being able to do the job, what other contributions can I offer the company above and beyond the requirements listed in the job description, now and in the long-term, which make me standout from others in the eyes of the Interviewer? (Think how do you add value to the position and the company?

If you put something on your resume then you better know what you included and why. A resume simply tells your career story and highlights how your skills and capabilities fit the position you are interviewing for. Whatever you do, never "make something up" or "fatten" a resume. Interviewers are skilled at "weeding out" prospects. Inflated or useless information can only serve to lesson your chances for success. Remember less is more in a resume. Focus on pointing out the top experiences, skills and examples that excite an employer into wanting to interview you for their career opportunity.

Know Your Strengths

Know what skills and experiences distinguish you from other people. What makes you standout above your peers? Being able to share this information confidently but not arrogantly can go a long way to exciting an Interviewer. Create excitement about you and what you can offer to the position and the company.

Know Your Weaknesses

Know areas where you may have less experience or possible gaps. There is nothing wrong with having "holes" in your resume. It is virtually IMPOSSIBLE to find anyone that specifically meets every single criterion for today's job descriptions. Don't be afraid to share a couple of your weak points with an Interviewer. It is often helpful to indicate such weaknesses as areas where you are pursuing self-improvement through reading, education or training.

Know how to "Read" your Interviewer

Often times, your ability to ask the Interviewer occasional questions about the position and company will help you better understand what the Interviewer is specifically looking for. Great questions include asking the Interviewer what they enjoy best about their company, what a day-in-the-life at the company is like, what exciting things or projects the company is working on, if hired what would help you contribute to the company more quickly, what needs to be done.

Know your Company

Nothing impresses an Interviewer more than having knowledge about the company, industry or even industry competitors. Take the time to thoroughly review the company's web site and industry related web sites. This helps you to appear more knowledgeable about both the positions you are interviewing for and the industry as a whole. This also helps you to better engage with the Interviewer when discussing the company's future plans and market opportunities.

Dress Appropriately

Even though most workplaces have gone to more relaxed dress codes and "casual Fridays", be sure to dress your best when it comes time to interview. Often times, the first impression and the last impression are the lasting impressions. For males, wear a dark colored suit or sport coat with a white shirt and conservative tie. For females, wear a dark colored suit, skirt or pant outfit with a conservative blouse and jewelry. Be sure to have a fresh hair cut and go easy on colognes or perfumes. Simple, conservative and professional dress is your best bet for conveying a positive image to the Interviewer that you are a professional, that you respect the Interviewer's time and can represent the company well.

Relax

Interviewers typically view potential hires from the angle of "How would our customer view this person?" Recognize that Interviewers are not only looking at your resume and appearance, but also how well you carry yourself in a conversation and how relaxed you appear. Avoid using stiff responses such as "Yes, sir." And "No Ma'am." Be sure to get a good night's sleep before an interview, be AT LEAST 15 minutes early to an interview, carry a roll of breath mints, bring something to write with, bring a copy of current resume, bring a list of at least three personal and three professional references, always sit up straight, try to lean forward in your seat, don't fidget with your hands or with objects, smile and relax. Remember surprises during interviews are very rare and you are simply telling the Interviewer your story: a story you already know.

Be Positive

People generally like to be around positive people, even Interviewers. Always smile, convey positive words like "can", "will", "gladly", "great", "challenges" etc. and avoid negative words like "shouldn't", "can't", "sorry", "bad", "problems". Above all else always remember to substitute positive words in place of negative words and never speak badly about any company, any experience or any one. If hard pressed on difficult subjects it is often best to say things like…"Well it has been my experience that there are several ways to address challenges and situations and in this case we had different views but were able to continue to work together to find a solution."

Use "Inclusive" Words

While it is true an Interviewer is looking at "you", understand that the real goal of an Interviewer is to assess how well you would fit into their "team". Hence, it is better to acknowledge that while "you" had several responsibilities, "your" successes were a result of how well you worked with others. Use words that convey how well you interact with others such as "us", "we", "team", "together", "all of us", "share". This will show you have a firm understanding of the value of teamwork.

Avoid Jargon

Never assume the Interviewer has had the same experience as you professionally or personally. Any organization be it the Military, the Government or a large Company has its own unique slang and jargon. Always use commonly understood words and expressly talk out any acronyms for the benefit of the Interviewer. Often time, in cases where the Interviewer is familiar with terminology, let them cue you that it is all right to use jargon. If you ever find yourself accidentally using a confusing term or slang, simply catch yourself and say "a better way of explaining this term is…an example of this is... ." And continue on with the Interview. Never look back. Focus on the next question.

Know how and when to Discuss Salary

Avoid discussion of salary during first interviews. If you've successfully landed an interview, understand that the position you are interviewing for most likely fits within your salary parameters. Remember too, that Interviewers often are recruiting for multiple positions, some of which may offer even greater income potential. If an Interviewer is adamant about asking you for a salary, it is best to say that you are currently making $x/per year or per hour and that you are looking to make the same if not more within a fair salary range bracket. (Use a $10K bracket for annual salaries and an $5 bracket for hourly wages). Salary is best left for later discussion if you are actually offered the job.

Avoid Discussing Irrelevant Topics

Avoid discussing topics irrelevant to the position. It is fine, however, to discuss pleasantries such as the weather, your family, your travels etc. Try and stick to the subject at hand. Never bring up controversial topics such as Politics, Religion, Morals, Biases etc. Seldom does anyone completely agree in such areas so you invite the potential for disagreement and consequently a poor experience with the Interviewer. Also avoid discussing long-range personal plans such as, dreams, retiring, getting an MBA, moving back to your hometown, or going in for major surgery. While they may be relevant to you, they may distract the Interviewer and lead them to believe that your future external plans don't hold much promise for the company and its future plans.

Know how to Sell Yourself

Never assume the Interviewer has thoroughly reviewed every detail of your resume or that follow-on Interviewers spoke with original Interviewers about your strengths. Always maintain good eye contact and greet everyone with a firm handshake. Always assume each interview is a first interview and put forth your best effort. Be sure when wrapping up an answer to a question or when finishing the interview that you ask "Do you have any additional questions that I can answer for you or would you like me to help clarify anything in more detail?" Always be sure to "ask for the order". This is simply making the point to an Interviewer that you have thoroughly enjoyed the interview, are excited about learning more about the company and would like to know the next step i.e. "Where do we proceed from here?" It is ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE that you indicate your continued and genuine interest in the opportunity to the Interviewer in order to provide them with positive and immediate feedback.

Send a Thank You Note

In this increasingly "high-tech" age, often it is the little things that can make the biggest difference between winning a job-offer or being forgotten. Before finishing an interview, be sure to verify how to get in touch with the Interviewer if you have any further questions. Then be sure to send a brief, handwritten thank-you note to every Interviewer or employee that took time to meet with you or show you around the company. You can pick up a box of professional looking "thank-you" notes at most stationary or office supply stores for only a few dollars. This act shows that you not only pay attention to detail, but that you genuinely care and appreciate the efforts of others. Often this one simple act separates, in the minds of company management, the professionals from the amateurs. After all the hard interview work you've done don't forget to say thanks.

Prepare and Practice for the Interview

Prepare for a formal interview. IT IS HIGHLY RECOMMENDED that after you have prepared yourself to interview i.e. resume, list of three personal and three professional references, interview attire, etc. that you sit down with someone (friend, spouse, co-worker) to conduct a PRACTICE INTERVIEW. Limit the interview to 20-25 minutes (uninterrupted interview) and then have whomever is assisting you critique you on how well you did or did not do and why AFTER THE PRACTICE INTERVIEW. This final step has been demonstrated to help increase your overall likelihood for success during your interview. Those who rehearse generally succeed over those who don't. Winning interviews is directly proportional to how much time and effort you put into preparation.

Practice Questions

These practice questions should help you prepare for your interview. Always try to answer such questions with enthusiasm. Remember to provide answers that are clear, concise and easy to understand and. Most importantly, always try to provide appropriate and concise examples whenever possible.

1. Tell me a little about yourself. Where are you from? Where did you grow up? Big or small town? Big or small family? Family of your own? Hobbies? Why did you join the Military/Government/Public sector?
2. Why are you leaving your current employer, military, agency etc.? What brings you to this point in your career and this interview today? Are you really interested in this position with our company?
3. What do you know about our company and what have you heard about this position? Have you taken the time to visit our web site to learn more about our company/position prior to coming here today?
4. What are some of your significant accomplishments or experiences that you think would make you a good fit for this position and a career with our company?
5. What would you consider to be your major strengths?
6. Do you have any special skills, training or credentials we should know about?
7. What separates you from your peers and/or others interviewing for this position?
8. What would you consider to be one of your weaknesses? How have you worked to overcome this?
9. Have you ever failed? Did you learn anything from that experience and has it helped you?
10. How have you dealt with conflict or disagreements among people you work with, work for or work for you? How have you been able to keep things positive?
11. How do you deal with someone who is not performing well in his or her job or struggling? How have you worked to help them? Have you ever had to let someone go?
12. How do you motivate yourself and others around you? What are your thoughts on Teamwork?
13. Which job(s) or types of jobs have you enjoyed the best and why?
14. Are you able to work well alone? Why? Are you able to work well with others? Why? Are you comfortable leading/managing people or overseeing challenging projects? Why?
15. Why are you interested in this position, this industry and this company?
16. How has your training and past experience prepared you for this position?
17. What do you like best about our company and this opportunity? Why?
18. Why should I/we hire you?
19. Is there anything about you that you would like to leave/discuss with us or mention about yourself that wasn't covered during this interview before we finish?
20. Do you have any questions about our company, our industry, ourselves? Do you have any question about how we will proceed from here in making our hiring decision and/or following up with you?