No matter what field you are in, job interviews are the most important meetings you'll ever attend. While every interview will be unique, preparation is the universal key to success. Whether your interview will be over the phone, in person or online, use these tips to ace the meeting and land an exciting new career.

Study The Job Posting

Spend time reviewing the original job posting. If for some reason, you cannot find it, you can ask the person scheduling the interview if they could send you a copy of the official job description. Study the skills the employer is looking for, so you can craft answers that speak specifically to those needs.

Research The Company

Hiring managers expect you to know what the company does, and they are looking for someone who is able to position themselves as a good fit. Make sure you're well-versed in their products and services. Scour local business journals to get a feel for any new initiatives they are rolling out and determine what impact could make in those initiatives.

Research Your Interviewer

Thanks to the internet, you can find a wealth of information about the person you'll be interviewing with. Connecting with that person is crucial for building rapport. Spend time on LinkedIn, the company website and Google to uncover things like: their position with the company, their years of service with the organization, their career path, where they went to school, and any projects they are heading up today.

Practice, Practice, Practice

Hiring managers are looking for people with confidence. Interviews are nerve-wracking experiences, so the best way to build your confidence is to practice answering common questions with a friend, relative or recruiter. Look up common interview questions and practice answering them thoroughly, but concisely. You can also use websites like Glassdoor to research company-specific interview questions, so you have an idea of what to expect once you're in the hot seat.

Set Yourself Up for Success

Little things can have a big impact on the success of an interview. The night before, make sure to get plenty of rest. Wake up early, eat a good breakfast and run through your notes again. If you are traveling to an in-person interview, print directions in case your GPS happens to fail on the way. Leave earlier than you think you must to avoid any traffic snags -- you can always review your notes in the parking lot. If you are having a phone interview, make sure to dress professionally so you're in the right frame of mind, confirm the dial-in number the day before, and be seated and ready ten minutes before the interview start time.

Looking For More Interview Advice?

Interviewing is stressful, even for the most confident people. If you're looking for advice and help with your job search strategies, reach out to the recruiters at PrideStaff today!