10 Tips on Interviewing

I've been interviewing for the past 3 weeks. Some of them went well, and some didn't.
Let me impart my "wisdom" upon you...

1. Go to the pre-night info session before the interview. Most companies will hold an info session the night before the interview so you can learn more about the position, the company, what they're looking for, and meet the recruiters. This is a great chance to learn about the company and get to know the recruiters before you even do the interview.

2. Do your homework. Make sure you know why you're interested in the position and why you're interested in the company. Come up with at least 3 questions you want to ask the interviewer (not things that can be found on their website).

3. Dress the part. Wear a suit. And if your suit is black, make sure you're wearing black socks.

4. Get there early. 10-15 minutes early. Some companies will have recent graduates there to "warm you up" before the interview.

5. Greet your interviewer with a firm handshake and a friendly smile. Make small talk with him or her as you walk to the interview room. Ask them about the weather, about their flight in, whatever, just avoid awkward silence.

6. The first question you'll probably hear is "tell me about yourself". Make sure you have a concise answer (1-2 minutes) where you talk about what you've done and how it relates to the current position.

7. They'll ask you about your strengths, a time when you worked with a difficult team, a time when you came up with a creative solution, a time when you were a leader, etc. It's always a good idea to come up with some examples you can use before the interview. But, don't memorize your answers; you'll sound rehearsed. Be genuine.

8. At the end of the interview, ask them questions. To make it more like a conversation and to show you're paying attention, ask follow up questions about their responses.

9. Remember to get your interviewer's contact info and ask about the next steps in the recruiting process.

10. When you get home, send them a thank you note. Via e-mail or snail mail. Or both.