Research the Company
Educating yourself about the company is the most important thing you can do before an interview. Visit the company’s website and search the internet for news and articles. This is the easiest thing you can do to set yourself apart from other candidates.

Know the Job Requirements
Find out from your recruiter what they know about the job and what areas of your resume interested the hiring manager. You’ll want to emphasize and expand on these areas during the interview.

Talk to Your Recruiter
Don’t be afraid to ask your recruiter for interviewing advice or about past feedback they’ve had from the company. The recruiter is a great resource to help you prepare.

Bring Your Submitted Resume
Ask your recruiter to send you a copy of your submitted resume to take with you to the interview. Presenting a different version of your resume can confuse the hiring manager.

Get the Details
Know the time, place, and correct pronunciation of the company and your interviewer’s full name. If you don’t know the correct pronunciation, ask the receptionist upon arrival.

Map it Out
Many companies have multiple locations. Make sure you know the correct location for your interview. It’s a good idea to check an app or site like Google Maps for driving times, avoiding construction, and finding the best route.

Prepare the Night Before
Lay out an outfit, be sure there is gas in the car or confirm the bus schedule, print out your submitted resume, and don’t forget to bring a notepad and pen.

Dress Appropriately
Always arrive at the interview dressed professionally and neatly groomed, even if the work environment at the company may be casual. When in doubt, err on the side of wearing conservative business attire. Also, be reserved in your use of fragrance, cosmetics, and jewelry.

Arrive Early
Arrive 10 to 15 minutes before your interview so you have plenty of time to obtain a security badge or parking permit if required. If you are running late, call your recruiter so the hiring manager can be notified.

Reschedule
If you cannot make your interview time, let your recruiter know in advance. They can work with the hiring manger to reschedule the interview. If you simply do not show up, it is unlikely that you will get a second chance with the assignment or the company.

Be Confident and Calm
Smile pleasantly and shake hands firmly. Let them know you are happy to be there. During the interview, speak clearly and remember to make eye contact. Be prepared to talk about your participation in projects relevant to the new assignment and how your previous experience will help you to become a valuable member of the team.

Be Concise
Answer the interview questions completely and succinctly. Stick to each question as its asked. Remember: it’s okay to stop talking after you have answered a question.

Ask Questions
If you have done your research about the company, you should be able to prepare relevant and thoughtful questions prior to the interview about the company, project, and assignment. Ask who will supervise you, what are the expected hours, when is the targeted start date, etc. Keep in mind that the interview also serves as a venue to determine if this job is a good match for you.

End on a Positive
When the interview is over, end on a positive note. Let the hiring manager know you want the assignment. Try to find out the next steps and decision timing.

Call Your Recruiter Afterwards
Be sure to contact your recruiter immediately to tell them about the interview. If you have any questions or concerns about this assignment, discuss them with your recruiter. This will help your recruiter determine a specific approach that will best suit your placement.

Send a Thank You Note
It is always professional to send an email or write a quick note. Keep it brief, but let them know you found the meeting informative, the position interesting, and that you appreciated the opportunity to interview.

The Basics
Don’t bite your nails, cross your arms, fidget, chew gum, arrive late, and don’t eat or smoke right before the interview.

No One-Word Answers
Don’t answer with a simple yes or no. Give specific examples whenever possible.

Don’t Talk About Conflicts
Don’t speak badly about former employers, coworkers, companies, projects, etc. If asked about past situations that were less than pleasant, try to emphasize any positive results you may have brought about without discussing the negatives.

Don’t Offer Negative Statements About Yourself
If asked about a weakness, think about something you haven’t done well in the past, but have taken actions toward improving.

Do Not Discuss Pay
The hiring manager will not able to discuss your pay due to co-employment issues, so bringing this up puts them in an awkward position. If the interviewer asks you about pay, then tell them that you would seriously consider any reasonable offer OR ask them to please speak with PDS Tech.

Turn Off the Arrogance
Resist the urge to tell the hiring manager that their entire approach is wrong. You may have different ideas that would be valuable to their efforts, but telling someone you have just met that they are incorrect likely won’t win you any points.

Don’t Say “No, I haven’t”
Do say: “I have done something similar, and I was successful at it.” OR “That sounds interesting, and I’m sure I can do an excellent job at it.”

Don’t Think Short Term
Avoid giving the impression that you are only considering this job until you find something better or because you are desperate.