It pays to prepare for the job interview.  In the current economic conditions jobs are fewer and a large number of seekers are in the market. It is best to make your preparation for the job interview. No job is unimportant and employers expect responsible attitude from the employees and may be much more from a prospective employee. With that fact in view, the best one can do is to go prepared for the job interview. You do not have to say that you came prepared and lets be honest, if someone guesses that you came prepared, it is positive for you because you take matters seriously and you took time to prepare for the interview.

The subject of preparing for the job interview is boring to most because it appears we know everything but a prepared answer can be used to articulate the reason to a question much more effectively than a casual answer which can be ambiguous and may be interpreted in different ways.

In the basics, you should ask a friend to help you prepare for the interview – a friend who can be objective and critical in a constructive manner and in whom you can trust. Most questions come out of the résumé itself but their are leading pattern that questions will get asked. Supposing, you have a break in education of a year or two or you have break in job of three months or more, prepare your answer because a question would get asked. If you have a change in career, a question is expected.

You should rehearse your story, verbally, without looking at the résumé and preferably without using exactly the same language as in the written résumé. This is where you can cover aspects of your career what would have made your résumé too lengthy. Typically, use this as an opportunity to inform some interesting aspects of your background that might make the interviewer interested in asking for more detail. That again is a skillful way of telling your story the way you wanted to. You can gain the best mileage if you have prepared you story and gone over and over. You want to use only select words not the casual talk. It is alright for candidate to talk a candidate language at an interview. Sit in front of the mirror and prepare but do prepare.

Preparation is truly needed for interview as an internal or external candidate. There is only one basis – you are being asked to come prepared and show that you are the best for the job so prepare for the interview.

I like a very simple yet effective article written in another site and I am presenting the excerpts of it here:

How to succeed at the job interview? It is an important question we face only when we are looking for a job or change or promotion or review. In other words, it is an infrequent event and in most cases we do not attach importance. On the other hand, if you sit back and think, perhaps you could have done better or much better if you had approached the process of interview differently! That is also the difference between being successful and not so successful. There are professional companies, as mentioned in getting into job market for success who can help you prepare and present job interview(s). There are professional companies which can provide valuable help in creation of resume. If you want to attempt it yourself, here are the pertinent steps:

Any interview process can be viewed seriously and prepared for. It would start with your paper work the application form and resume.

Prepare your resume with format showing strength on top. For example, if you have a lot of relevant experience then the experience should be on top but in case you have relatively less experience, put your education or training on top.

more …

You have to also pay attention to what you wear and your appearance, in general. You need to conform to the norm rather than being an exception in this area.

You should carry an extra copy of your résumé and should willingly present if asked for.

There are aspects of job interview where prompt answer may not be the best. One such question is relating to the salary you expect. You do not know what the other candidates may have said but you have to leave room for negotiations and you do not want to break the bank. If you are already working and seeking a change, the easiest way around is to say that I, currently make a gross salary of such and such amount and I was expecting better terms as motivator. If, however, you are in a position where you are looking for a job without one in hand, you can always say that at my last job I made a gross salary of such and such amount.

One of the aspects of job interview needs to be covered is the aspect of guessing your answers. Remember you are the focal point. Your abilities and strengths are being adjudged. To excuse yourself of a question is better than guessing. You are proving that you know what you know and that way you are much better than those otherwise.

In nutshell, prepare for the job interview and you shall be rewarded.