Some people like to interview for jobs and many more don’t.

As in so many other activities, proper preparation for a job interview can help you present yourself in a more professional, effective manner. This does not mean memorizing canned responses and producing them on demand. Your best bet is to develop responses, which reflect your own experience and philosophy in a concise and positive way.

How can you make the transition to someone who can change an interview into a job?

Be prepared

Remember that everyone who is interviewing is not necessarily a good interviewer. Learn to recognize a poor interviewer and help them discover all your good points.

Research, research, research. Absorb annual reports, press releases, and other company-issued material to see how the company perceives themselves. Review magazine and newspaper articles to see how others perceive them. Check out their web site. The more comfortable you become with the prospective employer’s public face, the easier it will be to respond intelligently during your interview.

Practice. Ask your spouse, relatives, friends, neighbours for honest – and constructive – criticism.

Re-read your resume before your interview. It will keep your answers fresh.

Be professional

Take a good, critical look in the mirror. Personal grooming is one of the first things an interviewer will notices, so if you need a haircut, get one. Be sure that your suit is dry cleaned and your shoes polished.

Dress appropriately for an interview and stop in the bathroom before the interview and carefully check your appearance.

Avoid personal matters whenever possible.

Try not to be negative about anyone. It makes you, not them, look bad.

Be polite

Don’t interrupt. A good cue as to when to begin talking is when the other person’s lips are closed. Half open and it is likely they have more to say.

Listen. Listen. Listen.

If the interview is being conducted in a restaurant, mind your table manners. Order something easy to eat (forget the fajitas).

Mirror the style and conversational topics of the interviewer. If they are serious and soft-spoken, you should be too. Avoid loud laughter, profanity (even the mildest), politics or anything controversial.

Some people like to write a follow-up thank you note immediately after the interview. Hand-write it if your writing is legible. Otherwise, type it. Summarise – briefly – your qualifications and how they meet the expectations of the position.

Be positive

You only get one chance to make a first impression. Make sure it’s a good one.

Interviewers want to know what you can contribute to the company to improve it. Briefly review accomplishments when asked. Don’t brag. Don’t exaggerate.

Every company wants employees who are goal-oriented, career-driven, enthusiastic and motivated. Be the employee they want.

Ask the interviewer what it would take for a new hire to succeed in the position.

If possible, ask about the interviewer’s background. You may learn additional information about the company.

Close on a positive note. The hiring official needs to know that you are interested, enthusiastic and excited about the position and the company. Shake hands, make eye contact, be open and accessible. If you love the job, love the company and want the opportunity, tell them!

Be practical

The interviewer already knows your current salary and benefits package. When and if the topic comes up state that you know they will make a fair offer based on the requirements of the position. Allow your recruiter to negotiate salary and benefits for you – this is one of their particular skills.

If you are offered the position during the interviewing process, and you want the job, ACCEPT IT. If the offer is not acceptable for any reason, ask for time to consider the offer. Then, talk it over with your recruiter.