Zoology

Interviewing

Preparing properly for your interview is one of the most important steps you can take to ensure that you are presenting yourself well and doing your best to appeal to potential employers. There are several ways you should prepare for your interview:

First, do some research.

It's important that you research a company and the products or services they sell, before your interview so that you can demonstrate your interest and commitment to the company's goals and strategies. Nothing sends up a red flag for an employer like a candidate who doesn't have at least a basic understanding of what their company does or sells. Additionally, by researching a company ahead of time you can gain knowledge about the company culture, the potential for raises or promotions, and more.

It's also a good idea to research the person (or people) who will be interviewing you so you know who they are, what their role is in the company, and can gather any pertinent background information before meeting them. Try searching for them online or on social media or check out this page on What to Look for When Researching Your Interviewer.

Second, prepare answers and practice.

It's usually a good idea to prepare your answers to some of the most typical interview questions ahead of time. This will help you be ready to answer tough questions in a clear and professional manner and will demonstrate your commitment to the position. Additionally, practicing answering questions in the mirror or with a friend can help you examine your body language and tone to make sure you're giving off the correct impression during your interview.

Third, bring your best.

There are several things you may want to consider bringing with you on your interview: several crisp and clean copies of your resume, cover letter, and references, transcripts or other pertinent documentation, a brief portfolio with examples of your work and accomplishments, directions to and from the place where you will be interviewing, breath mints, a list of questions to ask your interviewers, etc.

Helpful Resources