Steps on How to Prepare for a Job Interview

In a competitive job market, you only get one chance to make a first impression. The typical process we go through to find candidates for our internet company works like this. We post a job to a board, candidates email their resume to us, we review the resumes, if we like the resume, we set up a phone screen. If the phone screen goes well, we'll bring them in to interview with about four people. If that goes well, we'll ask for references, and finally, if the references check out, we'll give a job offer.

It's not an easy process for great candidates, but there are a few things people can do that really separate themselves from the competition.

The most important thing is the first submission of your resume. You need to do two things extremely well. First, tailor your resume to the exact position. You can do this by tweaking your resume or by adding a short cover letter with the key bullet points.

Second, demonstrate that you have done your search. If it's an online service like HubPages, signup and make a Hub. If the company makes a widget, go down to the store and use it. In your email with your resume, demonstrate that you have used the product.

Here is an example letter that would do well if it was sent to me with the resume attached.

Hi Handsome Paul,

I'm a huge fan of HubPages after learning recently about it. I signed up and made my first Hub. Please take a look (link to hubs). Looking forward to publishing many more.

I'm very interested in the moderating position. I have unique qualifications that make me an outstanding candidate.

• I have relevant experience as a volunteer moderator at xyz forum and very familiar with online communities.
• I have effectively enforced rules in a classroom environment that translates well to moderation.
• I am very passionate about online services and actively use Facebook, Twitter, and my personal blog

Thank you for the consideration and I look forward to hearing from you.

Regards,

Beautiful Joe

Phone screens are a bit like the "airplane" test. Could I sit next to this person for a flight across the country and not eject myself. As the interviewee, your best play is to show interest, be pleasant, and your best move is to ask the right kind of questions. Asking the right questions, will help you prepare for the interview.

Example of Questions to ask and take notes so you can be prepared for the face to face interview.

• Who will I be interviewing with? It's great to get the names of people that will interview you. If you do, you can research them in advance and be prepared. For example, if you knew I was going to interview you, my bio is available online. It's easy to see I'm one of the founders of HubPages. That way you can prepare questions like, "Why did you start the company", "From your time at Microsoft, did you learn best practices that help with support?" These questions demonstrate to the interviewer, that you went the extra mile. It's a huge plus.
• What questions are typically asked in interviews for this position? Many times, you'll interview with the person that's phone screening and they have a set of typical questions they ask. This gives you a chance to know the questions in advance. Also, if the person really likes you as a candidate, they may know a question or two that trips up candidates, so that gives them the opportunity to share them with you. If you do get the questions from the phone screen, be sure to prepare answers for them.

A good interviewer will spend a few minutes researching your past work experience and may even Google your name. So, they will be prepared, but their is an opportunity for you to be more prepared. Most people have thirty minutes to an hour for an interview. It typically goes like I ask you a few questions, you ask me some questions, and I tell you about the company. The best thing you can do is be prepared with four to five really good questions for each interviewer. This will make your interview much more engaging than most. You may include screenshots and pictures of the product - with questions, examples of things that worked really well in your past experience that are relevant to the job, and all the information you gleamed from the phone screen.

If you are really on the ball, you'll send thank you notes within 1 hour of the interview. Send each person an email thanking them with a personal touch of I thought a bit more about this part of our discussion, or I thought you might like to see an example of what we discussed (send link).

Here is an example thank you note for after a job interview.

Hi Paul,

Thank you for taking the time to interview me for the open moderating position. I really enjoyed the discussion on combating spam and I'm really excited about the opportunity. After looking around HubPages, I found a few examples of Hubs that sit in grey areas, how does HubPages think about spam in the context of Hubs about buying gold? I've read (link to source) that buying gold online is rife with fraud. Perhaps something to consider.

Here are three references you can call or email. I've let them know that you may be contacting them. Please let me know if you have anymore questions. Thanks again for taking the time to meet me and I hope to hear from you soon.

Best,

Joe

One thing I always do is check references. I usually ask for three references of one manager, one coworker, and if you're a manager someone that worked under you, if not, your choice. What each interviewee should do is contact their references and ask them one simple question.

• I'm interviewing for a job at xyz company, would you be willing to give me a stellar reference?

The funny thing is, if you don't ask the question and get a straight answer, I've found that many people get poor references. It's really important to ask the question and to make sure the reference knows that you want them to give a great or stellar reference. If the reference says no, than find another one. About one third of references give average or below feedback.

Typically, references are the last step before a job offer. The key of the entire process is to make it to the offer.