You might recognize the saying that’s included in the title of this blog post.  It’s a time-honored saying that can be applied to absolutely ANY endeavor, and for our purposes, we’re going to apply it to the face-to-face interview.

There are two reasons why you’ll succeed during your interview:

  1. You will be prepared to succeed.
  2. You will execute your part in the interview properly based upon that preparation.

Sound simple?  It’s not.  It requires quite a bit of energy and effort, but for those candidates willing to make the investment, it can pay off quite nicely.

Okay, so let’s lay the groundwork and start with the basics, specifically what you should bring to your interview.  Before you leave the house, consider the following:

  • Make sure that you have directions to your destination (either in the form of a map or a GPS), and also the name and contact information of the person with whom you’re meeting.
  • It doesn’t matter if you’re male or female, limit yourself to just one hand-held item and carry it in your left hand so that you’ll be ready to shake hands with your right hand.
  • The best way to carry your information is in a thin folder or portfolio that holds a legal pad, cards, resumes, pens, references, and anything else you think is important.  Know where everything is located in your portfolio beforehand, so you can find it quickly.
  • If a recruiter re-formatted your resume, use that version of the resume!  Most of the time, recruiters don’t change the content of resumes; they just help make them look more attractive.

“Preparation prevents poor performance” . . . and we’re only getting started in our quest to apply this to your interview.  Be sure to keep this saying in mind as we travel throughout our journey.  Remembering it is a great way to ensure that when the time comes, you’re completely prepared to take full advantage of the opportunity before you.

(For more information about successfully preparing for YOUR next interview, download a copy of Dan Simmons’s e-Book, Put Your Best You Forward: Simple Steps to a Successful Interview.)