Here are some key points to address when preparing for an interview: 1.

Make sure you know your own strengths and weaknesses. Write down your four or five strengths and one or two weaknesses. Include a short, one-paragraph example of some accomplishment you've achieved using each strength. With the weaknesses, write up a specific situation where you've turned that weakness into a strength, or have overcome the weakness. s you'll see in the !"niversal nswer! #elow, these examples are critical. $. %earn the !universal answer.! I've discovered that answers should #e a#out two minutes long. Much more than three minutes and candidates are perceived as #oring and insensitive. %ess than a minute and they're #randed as dull and lacking interest. "se the acronym & 'W to form your answers( &( Make an opening &tatement ( mplify that statement '( )rovide a 'ew examples W( Wrap it up *he examples part is the most important. *his is the demonstrated proof #ehind the opening statement. Interviewers will use these examples to form their +udgments a#out candidate competency. Most candidates talk in generalities. *his is not as convincing as a specific example. 'or instance, a marketing manager might want to descri#e in detail how she launched a new product in answer to a ,uestion a#out advertising and promotions. *he answer will #e more meaningful if the candidate shows how one or two of her strengths, like creativity and perseverance, were re,uired to achieve the results descri#e in the example. -. Write up the two most significant accomplishments. *o improve your ver#al pitches, you need to prepare more detailed write-ups for your two most significant accomplishments. .ach of these should #e two to three paragraphs in length, no more than a half a page each. /ne should #e an individual accomplishment, and the other a team accomplishment. Make sure you include examples of your strengths in #oth writeups. Most candidates get a little nervous in the opening stages of an interview, which can result in temporary forgetfulness. *he write-ups will allow for #etter recall of this important information in these times. *hey'll also #e the #asis of the examples in the & 'W response. 0. sk the !universal ,uestion.! 1iscussions a#out ma+or accomplishments should dominate the interview session. &ince most interviewers don't usually do this naturally, you can get them started. sk this ,uestion if you feel the interview is going nowhere( !'rom what I understand from the recruiter and my research, this +o# involves 2for example3 launching new products and setting up a national advertising program. If this is correct, could you explain it more thoroughly4 fter that I'd like to give you some examples of pro+ects I've worked on that are compara#le.! &omething like this will allow you to then descri#e some important related pro+ects you've worked on.

5. sk for the +o#. t the end of the interview, tell the interviewer you are interested in the +o#, and would like to know what the next steps are. If the next steps seem evasive or unclear, ask if your accomplishments seem relevant to the performance re,uirements of the +o#. "nderstanding a potential gap here allows you to fill it in with an example of a related accomplishment. Make sure you do the #est +o# possi#le of presenting your strengths. &ometimes you have to ask for the +o# to understand what points you need to get across. )repping is important. Well-prepped candidates are more confident and provide more thorough answers. If you know how to give complete answers, you worry less and are a#le to ask #etter ,uestions. ll of this improves the odds that you will #e assessed fairly, especially if the focus of the interview is on detailed discussions a#out the candidate's ma+or accomplishment. Make sure to correlate your strengths and weaknesses to specific re,uirements of the +o#. Make sure to have specific examples from your work experience. 'or example if you are asked a#out your WI6$7 experience, don8t answer 9I have - years of WI6$7 experience and know how to do many things within it.: great answer would #e 9I have used WI6$7 extensively at several clients, for example at ;..: *his helps make your experience more #elieva#le and concrete.

Things to keep in mind during the interview )repare for a phone interview +ust as you would for a regular interview. <ompile a list of your strengths and weaknesses, as well as a list of answers to typical interview ,uestions. In addition, plan on #eing prepared for a phone conversation a#out your #ackground and skills.

7eep your resume in clear view, on the top of your desk, or tape it to the wall near the phone, so it's at your fingertips when you need to answer ,uestions. =ave a short list of your accomplishments availa#le to review. =ave a pen and paper handy for note taking. *urn call-waiting off so your call isn't interrupted. <lear the room - evict the kids and the pets. *urn off the stereo and the *>. <lose the door. Practice Interviewing *alking on the phone isn't as easy as it seems. I've always found it's helpful to practice. =ave a friend or family mem#er conduct a mock interview and tape record it so you can see how you sound over the phone. ny cassette recorder will work. ?ou'll #e a#le to hear your !ums! and !uhs! and !okays! and you can practice reducing them from your conversational speech. lso rehearse answers to those typical ,uestions you'll #e asked. During the Phone Interview

1on't smoke, chew gum, eat, or drink. 1o keep a glass of water handy, in case you need to wet your mouth. &mile. &miling will pro+ect a positive image to the listener and will change the tone of your voice. &peak slowly and enunciate clearly. "se the person's title 2Mr. or Ms. and their last name.3 /nly use a first name if they ask you to. 1on't interrupt the interviewer. *ake your time - it's perfectly accepta#le to take a moment or two to collect your thoughts. @ive short answers. Aemem#er your goal is to sell yourself and your interest in the position( when the interview is coming to a close ask when they expect to make a decision and thank them for the interview. After the Interview:

*ake notes a#out what you were asked and how you answered. Aemem#er to say !thank you.! 'ollow with a thank you note which reiterates your interest in the +o#.