The interview is arguably the most important component of the job search. A decision to hire will not be made until the interview has occurred. It is a two-way process. Both the interviewer and the interviewee will gather and clarify information about each other, and each will form intuitive opinions and impressions about the other based on personal interaction.

The Art of Interviewing

The process of getting the job you want is very similar to conducting a sale.

In this scenario, you are selling yourself as the best candidate for the position. Discard any previous mindset you have that the interview is just a setting to answer questions. Instead, ask questions and impress the interviewer with your preparation. In order to be successful in sales, or interviewing, learn and apply these steps:

Know your product: You are the product. You bring to the bargaining table knowledge, skills, energy, accomplishments, and personality. Take an inventory and be sure your customer (potential employer) fully understands your value.

Know your customer's needs: You must research the employer's organization and industry in order to determine needs, problems and opportunities. Information is available through the video tapes, employer presentations, career fairs, business and government publications, the Internet and informational interviews.

Demonstrate how you can fulfill the needs or solve the problems: Based on what you have learned about the employer's needs, highlight the skills and capabilities you have that best fulfill those needs.