When it comes to job hunting, the competition is fierce. Studies show that each corporate job offer attracts 250 resumes on average. Of those candidates, 5 will get called for an interview, and only 1 will get the job.

The Bureau of Labor says that preparation can be as important as the interview itself, and our team at My Interview Practice strongly agrees. The #1 way to enter an interview confidently is to prepare!

The Introductory Guide will detail the critical factors of the job search process, including:

• The importance of projecting confidence during an interview and how to accomplish this.

• The steps you should take to prepare for an interview.

According to CNBC, having little-to-no knowledge of a company is one of the most common mistakes made during interviews.

In an increasingly competitive job market, employers expect more and more out of potential employees. Employers don't have time to bother with job seekers who haven't done their research. If you don't take the time to get to know the company, why should they take the time to get to know you?

The Company Research Guide will explore vital research topics such as:

• Identifying key information to figure out company values such as what kind of business they run, what their vision is, what their mission is, and more!

• How to use a company’s website and social media presence to identify their ideal employee.

It’s important that you go into an interview well prepared. Use the Research Worksheet to help you organize the following information:

• Company Information - Quick Facts, Vision, Products & Services, Key Players, and more.

• SWOT Analysis - Company Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. You can use this information to prepare for the questions you will be asked and the questions you’ll ask them.

• How Good a Fit You Are - An analysis of your fit for the job and what you will contribute.

• Interviewer Information - Knowing about the interviewers will provide you a competitive edge.

When preparing for an interview, it's important to make sure you know how to talk about yourself.

Besides the request, "Tell me about yourself," the next most common topic covered in an interview is some variation of, "Tell me about your strengths and weaknesses." The interviewer wants to know more about you as a professional and how you use your skills to deal with problems in the workplace. There is a right way and wrong way to answer these questions, and the way you answer will have an impact on your overall success.

The Strengths & Weaknesses Guide will explore vital research topics such as:

• Identifying your strengths for any interview, even if you are switching careers.

• Learning to assess weaknesses in a productive way and talking about them honestly without ruining your chances of getting the job.

• Talking about your strengths without coming off as boastful as well as accurately assessing your strengths and presenting them in a positive manner.

Topics the Strengths and Weaknesses Worksheet will prompt you to think about include:

• Tasks, projects, and activities you enjoy and are good at.

• Past successes. These will help identify your strengths.

• Feedback from your network, including supervisors, co-workers, and other people who know you well.

• Stressors, past failures, and negative feedback, which help you to identify your weaknesses so you can work on improving them.

Behavioral interviewing is one of the most popular methods of interviewing used by interviewers in every industry around the globe. It is the practice of focusing on a candidate's past experiences to gain an understanding of whether or not they will do well in the position they are applying for. When asked behavioral questions,  candidates are expected to give the interviewer specific examples of how they handled certain situations in the past.

The Behavioral & Situational Questions Guide will explore vital research topics such as:

• Understanding why interviewers ask behavioral questions and why they are important.

• Identifying the difference between behavioral and situational questions and how to answer both.

• Using the S.T.A.R. technique and understanding why it is such a valuable tool for job seekers

• Identifying common interview questions and the best ways to answer them.

• Using our Interview Simulator to practice answering behavioral and situational questions!

Technical questions are designed to test a candidate’s abilities as they pertain to the position they’re applying for. They can be used to test general knowledge within that industry or to determine a candidate’s “hard” skills. Overall, technical questions will let the interviewer know if the candidate is able to perform the day-to-day operations associated with that position. 

Interviewers ask technical questions because it helps them separate qualified candidates from unqualified ones. It’s estimated that it costs 10-20% of a new employee’s salary to train them, so interviewers want to make sure they select the right hire to invest in. 

The Technical Questions Guide will explore vital research topics such as:

• Understanding what technical questions are and why they’re important.

• Researching industry standards and best practices.

• Using our Interview Simulator to practice answering technical questions!

Everyone expects to be questioned during an interview, but not everyone realizes that they should be asking questions as well.

It's important for candidates to ask questions because it shows they are interested and prepared. If a candidate doesn't ask questions during an interview, the interviewer may conclude that the interviewee did not care enough to prepare questions beforehand, did not take the time to think about what they are looking for in the job, or is not committed to the position they are applying for.

The Questions to Ask the Interviewer Guide will explore vital research topics such as:

• Why it’s important to ask the right questions in an interview.
• How asking bad questions or no questions can ruin an interview.
• A list of questions that you can ask in the interview.

The Interview Checklist helps you get organized for the interview. The items it addresses include: 

• Interview logistics such as the company information, location, and the people you will be meeting with.

• Items to bring to the interview and suggestions for how to dress.

• A summary of the questions you should prepare for and the research you need to do before the interview.

• Tips on how to perform well during the interview.

• How to follow-up after the interview.