How to prepare yourself for a job interview .

•Step 1
When you begin to plan for your interview, consider WHAT YOU WILL WEAR. You want to be neat and clean and also think about the job you will be doing. Pass by the establishment you hope to join and see what people there are wearing. Suits or skirts and jackets are suitable for office jobs as well as for retail as are neat conservative dresses. Neat slacks and relaxed dress shirts are suitable for labor or fast food positions. Never wear jeans or t-shirts to a job interview, even if you may be wearing them on the job. Steer clear of frilly or gaudy items. Girls and woman should be moderate with their make-up. Mode of dress is the easy part.

•Step 2
Next you should RESEARCH THE ESTABLISHMENT YOU HOPE TO WORK FOR. Having seen it and filled out an application, you know something. Learn more so that you can be prepared for the interviewer's questions and ask intelligent ones of your own. Learn the history of the company, the philosophy of its founders. Is it a growing concern? Are there other branches near your? Has it been in the news lately for any reason? Interviewers like to feel that you have an interest in the job beyond your own duties and salary. What skills will you need to advance in this field?

•Step 3
Even if you are not asked to do so, MAKE UP A RESUME and bring it with you. Hand it to the interviewer at the start of the interview. He/she/they(and there could be more than one) may read it right away or set it aside. Your resume must contain pertinent facts such as address and phone number. It should also contain a brief educational and work history, any extra skills or attributes you may have, and a list of references.

•Step 4
Consider the actual INTERVIEW PROCESS as a conversation between two people. The interviewer wants to get to know you and ascertain your suitability for the job, and you want to present yourself as a desirable potential employee. Answer all questions completely and honestly. Look at your interviewer when you speak. Never interrupt your interviewer. Make sure you have an opportunity to emphasize your assets. Be concise, and don't ramble. Don't make excuses. If you have previously been fired or laid off, admit it and explain. If the interviewer asks you about yourself he does not want to hear about your family or you farm in Nebraska, he wants to know what assets you will be bringing to the job in the way of skills, ability to work as part of a team or readiness to take on responsibilities.

•Step 5
Consider YOUR DEMEANOR. You want to appear pleasant and relaxed. You must appear attentive and interested. Watch how people sit and stand to show confidence.

•Step 6
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT. Go back over all your previous employment or relevant education and think what questions could arise and how you would answer them. Prepare for uncomfortable questions, such as why you left your last employment. Have honest answers ready. Have a serious practice with family or friends. This will help prepare your for unexpected questions.

•Step 7
Now, WHAT ELSE CAN YOU DO TO PREPARE. The higher up the employment ladder you climb , the more important it is for you to develop interview skills. Go to your neighborhood library and find a book on interviews. There are many excellent ones. On the internet you can find many sites that give you tips, sample questions and all the help you will need to sell yourself as a valuable employee. Employment is getting harder and harder to find, so go the extra distance and make sure you can become part of the work force. Good Luck!