The Laughing Wolf

Food For Thought: Meeting/Interview Prep

Since I talked a bit about dressing for success last week, there is another way to prepare for success. Be it a meeting to discuss possible business, or a meeting about employment, the one thing they have in common is that it is an interview. Successful preparation is the way to mentally dress for success in any interview. Having been on both sides of the interview process, I will testify that good preparation can make a difference, and that poor preparation will cost you.

Take the time to ask around about the company/organization/whatever. Find out what the “word on the street” is about them. Google them, and read some or all of their web site. Find out who would be your boss and co-workers, and research them as well. Do be sure to get the right one though: I know of a case where one of the people up the food chain had the same name as a gay porn actor…

If the work/job involves sales, finance, or upper management, do some financial research as well. For the right job, it is well worth doing a Dun and Bradstreet on them. Study their reports, and also check stock sites to see what their experts say about them.

In short, know your enemy. The more knowledge you have about the organization and people, the better the impression you are going to make. If the preparation scares them, then you will probably be very glad later not to have gotten the situation. The preparation will also allow you to negotiate the best deal possible for you, because you will – of course – have researched what similar jobs are paying and providing as benefits elsewhere…

Preparation pays in all things. So, take the time and prepare for that which will shape the future of your career.

LW