Success Through Confidence Series Part 14: Preparing To Launch Yourself

When it comes to job interviews, preparation isn't everything, but it's almost everything. The more prepared you are, the more likely you are to stand out from the rest of the applicants. Before you walk into the interview, you've got to know the company almost as if you already work there, know how you'll answer the inevitable tough questions and much more. The upside, however, is that when you know you've got it all mastered, you can walk in the door confident and ready to show that you're the best person for the job.

1. Do your homework.

2. Get up-to-date, inside information about the company and department you're interviewing with.

3. If you can, talk with current and former employees.

4. Search at least a year's back issues of general business and trade publications for mentions of the company.

5. Check out the company's Web site. This is important—while other sources give you the outside world's view of the company, the Web site gives you the company's view of itself.

6. Read between the lines to get clues about the corporate culture.

7. Check out job openings listed on the site—if the one you're interviewing for is posted, see if there's a salary listed. Also, see if they're looking for a particular skill you can show off at the interview.

8. Presenting yourself properly is incredibly important.

9. Fix interview flaws before the big day, not once it's too late.

10. Practice interviewing with friends and family and ask for their feedback.

11. Videotape yourself. Hit fast-forward to see how gestures become obvious (and comical).

12. Read and reread your resume.

13. Take a look at the skills and accomplishments you've listed.

14. Think through how you can apply them to what you've learned about the company's needs. This way, you'll be ready to respond to specific questions about how your experiences can be assets to the company.