Congratulations if you have been invited to an interview! Reaching this stage means an opportunity to personally present your skills to an employer and to show how you can bring value to their organization. Make the most of it!

This is a time when you and an employer come face to face with each other and can make personal and professional judgments about each other. Since many people go through the interview process successfully, it is important to learn what they do and how they do it.

How can you stand out from the competition?

• One way to stand out is to have a clear idea of what you can do to create value for the organization.
• Demonstrate how you can get new customers, keep existing customers or help the business run more profitably. These are benefits to any employer and will set you apart from other applicants.

Your second task is to commit to some solid preparation.

The following tips will assist you;

• Be aware of the goals, mission statement and concerns of the organization. This will give you an idea of how you can help achieve their goals.
• Ask for a job description to gain an understanding of the skills and responsibilities required. This will help you identify ways you can provide a good fit for the position.
• Review the key elements of the advertisement so you can be ready to promote your strengths.

The interview has three basic stages:

• The Arrival
• The Interview
• The Finale

Each stage is outlined below.

The Arrival:

• Arrive 10-15 minutes early and dress to impress.
• Be courteous to everyone you meet.
• Present a positive, confident and enthusiastic attitude.

The Interview:

• Focus on the benefits you bring to the position.
• Stick to the topic and ask for clarification only when necessary.
• Thank the interviewer by name for his/her time

The Finale:

• Follow up by telephone or letter to ask if a decision has been made.
• Review the interview questions and responses
• learn from any mistakes and improve where necessary.
• Evaluate how well you think you did - this evaluation will strengthen your chances for future success.

What do you do now?

• Develop a list of questions an employer may ask you with suitable responses.
• Evaluate your presentation skills.
• Plan how you will convince the interviewer that you can do the job and much more.
• To be nervous is natural - use this energy to your advantage.

The 6th Essential is ...

Relevant interview questions and winning answers.