Want to know how you can go into an interview fully prepared, ready for any question, and ready to sell them on the best thing that ever happened to them-your candidacy?

Then read on for some helpful tips.

You have an interview scheduled.

It's a company you'd really like to work for. And, the job is perfect for you-it's just what you've been looking for.

Now, all you have to do is convince them!

Whether your background provides a clear match for the job, or, it's something you've been working your way up to, and represents the next step for your career, following are some guiding tips for how best to present your background, skills and talent so that you can confidently ace that interview!

Research the company

Find out as much as you can about the company before you even go in.

It's history, mottos, values, mission, and vision.

What have they already accomplished, and what are they striving for?

Knowing how you can contribute to the big picture will communicate a clear interest and capability.

Understand the position they are working to fill

Find out as much as you can about the position before you go in.

Why is it vacant-is it a refill or an add-on?

What are the responsibilities?

To whom does it report and who reports to it?

Consider your career plans

Where do you want to be in five years?

Then ask yourself: Will this position be a step in the right direction?

It may be a step to the side, or a step up, be sure it will ultimately help you achieve your career goals.

Know with whom you will be meeting

Is this the individual to whom you will be reporting?

What is this individual's role in the organization? In the hiring process?

Outline your strengths

Know your strengths-you know this is a perfect job for you, but how can you convince them? Outline your strengths-your skills, your qualifications, and your talents.

Don't forget to mention your personal qualities-these will help the interviewer determine whether or not you are a "fit" for the role/department/organization.

If you are truly a team player, say so.

Manager of the year at your last job? Mention it.

This is not the time to be shy.

Tackle the "challenges" question with confidence

As an interviewee, your least favorite question is probably: "What are your challenges/weaknesses?" Sometimes it's positively rephrased as "If there were any skills or talents you would say/your references would say you could benefit from improving, what would they be?"

Either way, it still gets to the same thing-what don't you do well?

This is the interviewer's shot at making you nervous, penetrating that cool, confident exterior you've been presenting up to this point.

Some advice I've heard: "disguise a negative with a positive."

Although I agree with it in theory, my word of advice to you on that is, whatever you offer up, consider the role for which you are interviewing, the company's mission/culture, and identify something that would not be considered a red flag (e.g. a common false negative: I'm overly-independent-might be considered a red flag for an organization/role where teamwork is especially considered important).

Answering the weakness question

The weakness question can be one of the best questions to respond to in order to fill the interviewer with just how great you are!

If you learn the technique that I am about to teach you, you can turn the weakness question into a MASSIVE positive for yourself.

Answer the weakness question incorrectly and you could very well hear the interviewer shouting "next!"

Answering the weakness question always seems to be difficult on the outset.

All of us would love to reply with "I HAVE NONE" but this seems a little arrogant!

Ok, let's get to it!

To answer the weakness question you must first go into the interview with 2 that you have prepared earlier.

Answer the question "What are your weaknesses?" in the following way:

• Start by stating a positive about the weakness!

So, if one of your weaknesses is that you are impatient you can say:

"Well, Mr Bloggs, I am very results focussed and like to get a job done on time and to the high quality that I set myself. I get a little impatient at times when things do not go my way. I'm aware of this though and I am working to be a little less hard on myself"

See!

A weakness of impatience is suddenly turned into a MASSIVE positive.

Answer structure should be:

• State a positive "I am very………."
• What do you get "Because I like to……"
• Bring in the negative "Which means at times I have a tendency to……)
• "However, I know this and I am doing…….."

When you go into the interview I mentioned you should have two.

The first I'd like you to come out with yourself. Never tell the interviewer more than one weakness unless he asks for it.

If he/she does come in with this then:

Weakness = working too hard

"I am very dedicated to my job and give 100% in all that I do because I believe in giving it your all and being fully committed. However, I do have a tendency to working very long hours. This can make me feel tired at times. Although I've got the best intentions of the company and my work at heart, I need to pull back the throttle at times. I am aware of this and I am trying to lower the intensity at times, but it is very difficult!"

So now it's your turn!

I have already done one for you.

What I would like you to do is to write down 3 weaknesses that you have got and turn them into POSITIVE responses as I have done above.

On Pace

Try your best to "mirror" your interviewer's pace.

If you are an energetic, fast-talker, but your interviewer's idea of speed seems to be a turtle race, slow down! And, vice versa.

This simple technique can give you a leg up in the "establishing report" requirement. However, don't hesitate to pause when asked a question.

If you are asked for a specific example, or for a "time when," don't hesitate to ask for a minute and pause before coming up with a great response.

It's better to appear thoughtful, than uncertain by offering up a less than stellar example-all in the interest of being quick.

In short, inform and prepare, and you will ace the interview! And, practice-take on the role of interviewer.

If you were hiring, what would you want to know?

But, above all, be yourself-it's the glove that fits best anyway.