Be prepared - Doing the ground work before an interview is the key to success

This post came out from The Straits Times (18 May 2008)
Title - Be prepared

Some pointers that I've got are:
1. Quick tips
2. Right behaviour
3. Be clear

On Quick tips

• Know the exact place and time of the interview, the interviewer's full name and correct pronunciation of it, and his or her designation
• Research the company via the Internet
• Learn all you can about the job so you talk about it accurately
• Think about the company's products or services
• Network with your contacts for further information
• Consider issues the company may face and how they relate to the job
• Visualise what it would be like to work in the company
• Revise the facts and figures of your present and previous employments
• Consider your personal image (how you should appear to the interviewer)
• Visualise and rehearse the interview
• Be ready to lead the interview, if necessary
• Devise a list of questions to ask the interviewer

On Right behaviour

• During the interview, be prepared to listen. Focus on what the other person is saying and not on what you are about to say next. Be an active listener. Pay attention to non-verbal cues such as facial expressions to pick up underlying messages. 
• Pacing and mirroring are ways to ensure that the interview goes well. Let the interviewer set the pace and respond in kind. If the interviewer is bring and friendly, you should try to be the same. But if the interviewer's manner is serious and formal, try to behave similarly, as much as your personality will allow.

On Be clear

• Answer questions in a clear and concise manner. Where possible, use examples to clarify what you mean.
• Prime yourself by reflecting on situations in your past work experience, using examples to show how you handled the situations and describing the outcomes. 

Yours,
Something Small Thinking Big