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Questions for graduates to ask yourself before the interview

Graduates…it is important to understand interview preparation is the key to a successful interview. The slightest oversight could be the difference between your success or failure. Answer these simple questions during the days before the interview and you can be confident you will make a great impression… and increase your odds of getting the job. Why? Because most graduates won’t take the time or energy to ask these questions to themselves.

Ask yourself these questions before interview:

Have I studied the company’s web site?
Have I called to confirm the interview…time, exact location and name of the interviewer?
Have I confirmed how to get to the interview…driving, public transit, etc.?
Have I asked about parking and where to enter the building?
Have I researched information about the job, company and interviewer?
Have I prepared my interview kit: resumé, references, portfolio? (if applicable)
Have I got my pad and pen ready?
Have I decided on my wardrobe?
Have I prepared my opening speech?
Have I prepared answers to every interview question I can think of?
Have I made my list of questions to ask the interviewer about the job and company?
Have I prepared my closing speech?
Have I got my “Thank you” letter ready to write and send after the interview?
Will I get a good night’s sleep before the interview?

If you can answer ‘Yes’ to these questions… you are ready.

Good Luck!

Next Read: Avoid these 3 Common Mistakes In Your Job Search »

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markewicken: Mark Wicken is a marketing professional with over 30 years of advertising, communications and strategic planning experience within the retail and packaged goods industries. He has been a senior member of agency management teams with both account and brand management responsibilities. His strengths have always been on innovative thinking, solid organization and strong interpersonal skills. Starting in the advertising agency industry, Mark held senior account management positions at several multinational agencies including Leo Burnett, Foster, Caledon, Vickers & Benson and Saffer Advertising, and has been responsible for the management of accounts like IBM, McDonald’s, Esso and General Motors. Mark moved from his agency roles to the Client side and held the position of Divisional Vice President of Marketing for Domino’s Pizza International and Director of Marketing for KFC, Hardee’s and Sbarro restaurants in the Middle East. In 2002 he established The Mark Wicken Group, a business specializing in executive search, training and consulting within the marketing, advertising and communications industries. In addition to executive search, Mark has devoted much of his lifetime to teaching, education and youth development. He is President of MusicFest Canada ‘The Largest Annual Music Festival in North America’ and has been an instructor at the International Academy of Design and The Toronto Film School since 1998. Mark graduated from The University of Toronto, took post-graduate studies at Northwestern University, and is married with two sons.