Job interviewing never seems to get any easier no matter how many you go on.  You are meeting new people, selling yourself and your skills, and often in today’s economy you are trying to finally land a job after being unemployed.  Being out of work makes the stress of the interview process seem that much greater. 

 Whether it is during a phone interview or a face-to-face meeting, proper preparation will help alleviate some of the stress involved.  Here are several tips to help prepare you to effectively interview.

1. Prepare and over prepare  -   Prepare your responses to the typical job interview questions most interviewers ask and then practice, practice and practice.  Role play and repeat your best responses until they come naturally – - until they simply roll off your tongue with the spontaneity that only comes with repetition.
2.  Do your research  -  Take time to research the company, their product line, processes,  and even their management team.  Try to relate what you know about the company when answering questions during the interview.  Know the interviewer’s name and role they play within the organization.  Be sure to use their name (with the correct pronunciation) during the interview itself.  If you are not sure, call the company in  advance and ask the receptionist.
3. Be clear on what you know and what you want to achieve  -  If your interview is resume-based, have the facts of your experience, education, etc., thoroughly memorized.  Have a list of examples to support your achievements.  As to your objective, be clear and concise on what you want.  If you are willing to take “anything”, you will usually get nothing.
4. Be honest in your responses  -   While probably everyone has shaded the truth in an interview, honesty is really the best policy.  It is not a good idea when reviewing the requirements for the position to flat-out lie.  Companies today are doing thorough background checks and may request you provide verification of your college degree or the certifications listed on your resume.   So many people have been laid off through no fault of their own that it is no longer a stigma to have been let go – - unless it was for justifiable cause.  Answer directly but without a change in the reflection of your voice.  Expressing your bitterness over being let go tells the interviewer that you can’t accept the reality of today’s economy.
5. Have clear personal standards  -  Many organizations today are looking for people who do have ethical standards regarding their personal and professional lives, who can articulate them clearly and who live by them.