Interview Preparation Made Easy: Create An Interview Preparation List

Here's a quick way to compare your own job experience and qualifications with those that your prospective employer is looking for in a specific job position. Make an "Interview Preparation List". When you prepare for a job interview, it's good to have a quick reference of your past work experience that you can study ahead of time to help prepare you for the specific job you're interviewing for.

Grab a sheet of paper and make three columns.

Column A will be "Position Requirements"; Column B will be "Your Qualifications and Experience"; and

Column C will list "Your Stories". For this exercise, you'll be using the actual job description from the employer.

So, in Column A (Position Requirements) you'll take one piece of the job description and write for example: "Ability to work well with others." Ok. Now you'll have to think about your own experiences while working well with others. What specific examples do you have that demonstrates this ability?

Great. You've thought of something. In this example, we'll write under Column B (Your Qualifications and Experience) "Worked on the XYZ project team."

Now you need to break it down even further and list a specific action-oriented example of "working well with others" on the XYZ project team.

In Column C (Your Stories) you write something like this: "Coordinated winning marketing campaign which resulted in a successful launch of new product." Wow. See how successful that makes you look?

Keep going until you've listed something for every part of the job description. Use your list when preparing for a job interview or even to prepare your resume.

About The Author

Copyright 2004

Donna Monday
Get Hired Now! Use These Online Interview Tips
http://www.get-a-job-interview-quick-tips.com

In The News:

table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/business/12shifting.html%3Fref%3Dbusinesscid=1256638218ei=QkPxSJ6vAo3W6gOS1dmyBwusg=AFQjCNEu5iCl6xkYFUQ1Neq5j53TybdqyQShifting bCareers/b In Hard Times, Lawyers Advise Cautious Steps/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fNew York Times,nbsp;United Statesnbsp;-/font nobr52 minutes ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1By MARCI ALBOHER AS the turmoil on Wall Street continued, I sat down with two bemployment/b lawyers — Zachary Hummel, who represents employers, and Mark Risk, b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.prweb.com/releases/2008/10/prweb1453774.htmcid=1256403378ei=QkPxSJ6vAo3W6gOS1dmyBwusg=AFQjCNGv8M4T2N2c8Uq1A_E1co3f06AkJwFive Things You Can do to Take Charge of Your bCareer/b During Harsh b.../b/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fPR Web (press release),nbsp;WAnbsp;-/font nobr17 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Individuals with a will to succeed enjoy 100% control over their bcareers/b. The bemployment/b recruiting industry is especially booming; In general, bemployment/b b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd width=80 align=center valign=topfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html%3Fid%3D360848f9-b8b1-4c31-8234-751fad240daacid=0ei=QkPxSJ6vAo3W6gOS1dmyBwusg=AFQjCNEwPQ4A__mau2EkNZi4bpV1KJ79BQimg src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=bpAoymMHHJsJimgurl=a123.g.akamai.net/f/123/12465/1d/media.canada.com/idl/vasn/20081011/137347-50253.jpg%3Fsize%3Dl width=80 height=80 alt= border=1brfont size=-2Vancouver Sun/font/a/font/tdtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/news/business/story.html%3Fid%3D360848f9-b8b1-4c31-8234-751fad240daacid=0ei=QkPxSJ6vAo3W6gOS1dmyBwusg=AFQjCNEwPQ4A__mau2EkNZi4bpV1KJ79BQExperts advise patience when seeking first job/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fVancouver Sun,nbsp; Canadanbsp;-/font nobr15 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1About a year ago, the bcareer/b coaches at Youth bEmployment/b Services Montreal began noticing an increase in the number of depressed and anxious job-seekers b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://nwitimes.com/articles/2008/10/10/business/jobs_sunday/doc48e66153b8d5b950947014.txtcid=0ei=QkPxSJ6vAo3W6gOS1dmyBwusg=AFQjCNHh_Q9-TKTbuFMEiKoAuAcc0OPLTQbCareers/b without college/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fnwitimes.com,nbsp;INnbsp;-/font nobr18 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1The requirements for bemployment/b in these fields include work experience and on-the-job training. Some employers may desire candidates who have had some b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd width=80 align=center valign=topfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.examiner.com/x-654-Baby-Boomer-Examiner~y2008m10d1-Byebye-to-career-employment-for-Baby-Boomer-mencid=0ei=QkPxSJ6vAo3W6gOS1dmyBwusg=AFQjCNGrgXuJul1uBgaxBx7MwBewN3svCgimg src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=Y0v3p9n65aUJimgurl=www.examiner.com/images/blog/author/img81paul_briand_photo.jpg width=80 height=67 alt= border=1brfont size=-2Examiner.com/font/a/font/tdtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.examiner.com/x-654-Baby-Boomer-Examiner~y2008m10d1-Byebye-to-career-employment-for-Baby-Boomer-mencid=0ei=QkPxSJ6vAo3W6gOS1dmyBwusg=AFQjCNGrgXuJul1uBgaxBx7MwBewN3svCgBye-bye to bcareer employment/b for Baby Boomer men/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fExaminer.comnbsp;-/font nobrOct 1, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1quot;bCareer employment/b – meaning bemployment/b with a single employer from middle age to retirement – is no longer the norm. So if workers are to remain in the b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd width=80 align=center valign=topfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifa href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.examiner.com/x-828-Entry-Level-Careers-Examiner~y2008m10d10-Gallup-Now-is-a-Bad-Time-to-Find-a-Jobcid=0ei=QkPxSJ6vAo3W6gOS1dmyBwusg=AFQjCNGKwk4zKCPypFFmyYhNwaUR4YXqswimg src=http://news.google.com/news?imgefp=HhA0NY5T5SMJimgurl=www.examiner.com/images/blog/author/img205heather_huhman_photo.jpg width=80 height=67 alt= border=1brfont size=-2Examiner.com/font/a/font/tdtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.examiner.com/x-828-Entry-Level-Careers-Examiner~y2008m10d10-Gallup-Now-is-a-Bad-Time-to-Find-a-Jobcid=0ei=QkPxSJ6vAo3W6gOS1dmyBwusg=AFQjCNGKwk4zKCPypFFmyYhNwaUR4YXqswGallup: Now is a Bad Time to Find a Job/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fExaminer.comnbsp;-/font nobr12 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) released its latest Leading Indicators of National bEmployment/b (LINE) Report with similar findings. b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/12/education/12student.html%3Fref%3Dbusinesscid=0ei=QkPxSJ6vAo3W6gOS1dmyBwusg=AFQjCNGDqvWEeylmGT3z5pqQDww3GK1uqgFinance Students Keep Their Job Hopes Alive/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fNew York Times,nbsp;United Statesnbsp;-/font nobr3 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1“Mine is a generation that’s been told from high school onward, ‘You’re going to change bcareers/b five or six times throughout the course of your life,’ ” he b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.moorparkacorn.com/news/2008/1010/community/025.htmlcid=1256001170ei=QkPxSJ6vAo3W6gOS1dmyBwusg=AFQjCNGZReCb8zEYDbUhoi7uGnoug84FfwFinding new work requires flexibility and creativity/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fMoorpark Acorn,nbsp; USAnbsp;-/font nobrOct 9, 2008/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1With the help of the Simi Valley Job Center, the setback turned into a new bcareer/b opportunity. Benedetto said he was laid off after 12 years of bemployment/b b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,24482316-5005371,00.htmlcid=0ei=QkPxSJ6vAo3W6gOS1dmyBwusg=AFQjCNFGE78wbSLZSwszbOT1zOdEFHIoXwWe can work it out/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fSunday Times.au,nbsp;Australianbsp;-/font nobr12 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1At 16, I thought I might like a bcareer/b in advertising. That was until the school ran its poor excuse for a bcareers/b day. I clearly remember the advertising b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
table border=0 width= valign=top cellpadding=2 cellspacing=7trtd valign=top class=jfont style=font-size:85%;font-family:arial,sans-serifbrdiv style=padding-top:0.8em;img alt= height=1 width=1/divdiv class=lha href=http://www.citywebshopper.net/articles/includes/redirect.php?url=http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/515873cid=0ei=QkPxSJ6vAo3W6gOS1dmyBwusg=AFQjCNG0WG0qMmJLswGt1VqTT331-W8RuAMake moves work for you/abrfont size=-1font color=#6f6f6fToronto Star,nbsp; Canadanbsp;-/font nobr15 hours ago/nobr/fontbrfont size=-1Relocating head offices has been a phenomenon for decades, and employees need to think before deciding to follow their company to a new city, a bcareers/b b.../b/font/div/font/td/tr/table
careers employment - Google News

Whats Stopping You from Getting Your Next, Good Job?

This question comes up often when I'm working with someone... Read More

Cross Cultural Interviews

At this moment in time, the increase in cross border... Read More

Yes, Ive Had Gaps In My Employment History--What To Do About It?

Yes, I've Had Gaps In My Employment History--What Can I... Read More

Doing What You Love

What do you want to be when you grow up?... Read More

Job Search - 6 Tips to Boost Your Campaign

Does your job search feel like a big weight on... Read More

Telecommuting Cover Letters

Question: How do I market myself online?Answer: With a stellar... Read More

Pre-Interview Web Research

You have obtained an interview -- congratulations! You feel prepared... Read More

How To Find A Job As A Copy Editor

Jobs for copy editors may seem like they are hard... Read More

Tips for Terrific Telephone Interviews

Telephone interviews don't just happen; they are the result of... Read More

Stepping Stone Jobs

What we name something matters.It sets a tone that alters... Read More

Oil, Lube and Filter Employee Pay

We have been studying the labor rates of Oil, Lube... Read More

In a Rut? Ready for a Career Change?

Are you unhappy at work? Tired and lacking energy and... Read More

Free Resume Template: What Makes a Good One?

You can drown in the "free resume examples," "free resume... Read More

Four Important Questions to Ask Your Interviewer; Do You Really Want to Work for This Person?

Many job seekers miss a golden opportunity when they are... Read More

Growing Up On A Delaware Farm

Growing up on a Delaware farm was a wonderful and... Read More

What is My Calling?

"What is my calling?" Do any of us really have... Read More

How to Transform a Boring Note Into A Killer Cover Letter - Part I

The AIDA formula is as old as dirt. It was... Read More

Hospital Staff at Great Risk of Attack and Injury Whilst at Work

There are millions of people working extremely hard every day... Read More

Career Advice: Are Resumes Obsolete As A Primary Job Search Tool?

In a day of background checks, pre-employment drug screening and... Read More

Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Career Opportunities for New Graduates

Tales from the Corporate Frontlines: Career Opportunities for New GraduatesThis... Read More

6 Vital Tips For Creating A Superior Resume

1: Keep It ShortConsidering that initially HR personnel only spend... Read More

Traveling for An Interview? 10 Tips to Get You From Here to There

You've just been granted an on-site interview in another town.... Read More

Avoid Your CV Always Ending Up in the Bin

Cover Letters must grab the reader's interest so that they... Read More

Should You Telework/Telecommute

"WOW! I can work from home and make money? I... Read More

3 Reasons To Hire From Outside Your Industry

While at times it may prove comfortable and convenient to... Read More