WHAT'S YOUR JOB INTERVIEW READINESS IQ?

Most people head off for their job interviews ill-prepared. In some cases, it is because they did not know how to prepare; in other instances, they thought they could short-cut the process. Relying on their perceived people skills and cleverness - "I have always been good at talking with people; I can bluff my way through this too" - is a mistake some make. As a result, they present themselves poorly.

Before venturing off to a job interview, assess how well prepared you are for such a meeting. The list of statements that follows comprises your "Job Interview Readiness I.Q." You should review these statements prior to each interview you have scheduled, since preparation for one interview does not guarantee readiness for another interview. The work you did to fully prepare yourself for one interview may only partially prepare yourself for the next one.

If you can respond in the affirmative to each of the following statements, you should be well prepared to face the job interview. A solid, unequivocal "yes" to each statement should give you confidence that you will interview well.

I know what I do well and enjoy doing.
```
Yes	No
```
I can describe to another person in a concise statement what work I want to do.
```
Yes	No
```
I have prepared a minimum of 50 examples of my effectiveness (past accomplishments.)
```
Yes	No
```
I can talk specifically about what I can do for this employer by selecting the appropriate example(s) of my past accomplishments. (Taken from my examples of effectiveness.)
```
Yes	  No
```
I have kept abreast of developments in the industry in which the job I want exists by reading general news magazines (Time, U.S. News & World Report, Newsweek), business publications (Fortune, Forbes) and industry publications specific to my targeted job.
```
Yes	No
```
I have gathered information about the company/government agency where I will be interviewing by:

investigating the company/agency website
```
Yes	No
```
talking with people who work there
```
Yes	No
```
talking with people who used to work there
```
Yes	No
```
keeping abreast of actions impacting the organization (merger, downsizing, expansion, competition)
```
Yes	No
```
reading the community newspaper(s)
```
Yes	No
```

I have gathered information about the person(s) (likely to be) conducting the interview by:

investigating the company/agency website
```
Yes	No
```
talking with people who work there
```
Yes	No
```
talking with people who use to work there
```
Yes	No
```
reading the community newspaper(s)
```
Yes	No
```

I have gathered information about the salary range for the position I want by:

conducting referral interviews with people in this industry/region
```
Yes	No
```

checking salary surveys available through:

- my professional association

Yes	No

- the state employment commission

Yes	  No

- salary surveys in business publications				
                          Yes	No
  	- salary surveys posted on the Internet		  			Yes	No

I have anticipated questions I will most likely be asked during this job interview related to my:

education
```
Yes	No
```
skills
```
Yes	No
```
accomplishments
```
Yes	No
```
work style
```
Yes	No
```
supervisory style
```
Yes	No
```
work history/promotions
```
Yes	No
```
motivation
```
Yes	No
```
personality
```
Yes	No
```
interaction with others
```
Yes	No
```
strengths
```
Yes	No
```
weaknesses
```
Yes	No
```
unusual items on my resume/cover letter
```
Yes        No
```

I have strategized the gist of the responses I would make to questions I have anticipated, but I have not tried to memorize answers.
```
Yes	No
```
I have supports for my responses to questions.
```
Yes	No
```
I have practiced talking through responses to questions, but have not memorized exact responses.
```
Yes	No
```
I have prepared a list of questions I need to have answered by the interviewer.
```
Yes	No
```
I have practiced talking through the questions I plan to ask the interviewer, but have not tried to memorize them.
```
Yes	No
```
I have selected the items I will wear and carry to the interview.
```
Yes	No
```
I know exactly how to get to the interview site.
```
Yes	No
```
I know how long it will take to get to the interview site - on the day of the week, and at the time of day I will be making the trip.
```
Yes	No
```
I have allowed extra time for unexpected traffic tie-ups, have checked into the parking situation, and know whether there are any security procedures that will take time as I enter the building.
```
Yes	No
```
I know the name of the person to ask for when I arrive at the interview site, the department where the person works, and the correct extension.
```
Yes	No
```
I have asked myself whether there is anything else I might anticipate special to my specific situation and if there is, I have prepared for it.
```
Yes	No
```

If you were able to honestly respond with a definite "yes" to each of these statements, you have a very high readiness for your next interview. Remember to prepare just as fully and carefully for any future interviews. Your preparation for one interview only partially prepares you for your next one.

SOURCE: Adapted from Ron and Caryl Krannich, Ph.D.s, You Should Hire Me! (Manassas Park: Impact Publications), pages 12-15. Copyright 2008). All rights reserved.