Be Ready For Your Next Interview

A few weeks ago I saw a potential job online. Although I'm not really looking for a new job, it sounded like a possible fit for me, as well as a job that could be done remotely. I work 30 hours a week for a publishing company, and 8 of those hours are from home on Fridays. It's tough to find jobs that accommodate that type of flex schedule, so I took a leap of faith and sent in my cover letter and resume.

I'll admit I am terribly rusty at the interview process. I haven't had an interview in more than seven years, so I was thankful that the initial first contact with this company (their HR department called me within two days of me submitting my application…yea!) was a screening phone interview with the editor. I didn't have to worry about what to wear and if I had a nerve-induced zit, well let's just say, I might have had one, but he'd never know.

As he and I talked, I realized that this was not the job for me. A flex schedule didn't sound possible, and it was reassuring to know that I do, indeed, have a good thing at my current job. But still, it was good for me to dust off my resume and go through the job application process.

Here are some tips for being interview ready, because you never know when your next career opportunity will present itself:

Keep your resume updated. Update your current job description and make sure your reference contact information is correct. My first boss out of college is a reference on my resume and she recently had a promotion so I updated her title. Also, make sure you have a copy of your resume on your home computer.

Research the company. Do your research on the potential employer. Where are they located? What is their history? How many employees do they have? What are their employee benefits? Who are their competitors?

Make a list of questions for the interviewer. At the end of my phone screening interview, the editor asked me if I had any questions. I knew this was coming, and yet it still caught me off guard. It's best to have your questions in writing, and in front of you. If you're like me, motherhood has destroyed some of your brain cells.

Have one classic interview suit. I no longer wear suits or panty hose to work, but it's always good to have one reliable interview outfit just in case.

Be prepared to tell the interviewer why you are looking for a job. This was a tough one for me, because for the most part I'm fairly happy at work, but I am always looking for a new opportunity.

So what are your tips for being interview ready?

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This entry was posted on Monday, August 11th, 2008 at 6:00 am and is filed under Working Moms.