Successful interviewing can be one of the single most important aspects of obtaining a desired job.

According to the Career Center’s “B!G Job Search Guide” the first step to outshining the competition during an interview is preparation.

“Preparing can be done in three steps; knowing yourself, the employer and the industry in which you are breaking into, and practice,” said Jessica Turos, assistant director of the Career Center.

Turos said knowing yourself and thinking about the skills you can bring to the job is important.

“If you know yourself, why should we hire you should be an easy question to answer,” Turos said.

Other suggestions given both by Turos and the “B!G Job Search Guide” include being able to communicate your goals, knowing your resume and being able to elaborate on the information provided, and being able to reflect upon your strengths and weaknesses.

The interview guide gives a general list of necessary information to know about the employer, including researching the employers mission statement, annual report, recruiting literature and Web site. Knowing the employer and the industry could benefit in many different areas of the interviewing process.

“You never know what the employer is going to ask you, but if you research the employer and the industry, questions will more then likely be geared toward that specific field,” Turos said.

According to the Interview Guide behavioral questioning “is the interview system most used by employers in Fortune 500 companies and by large school districts.”

“Behavioral interview questions are the most common interview questions. They are questions asking about past performance in order to predict future work ethic,” Turos said.

The best way to answer these kinds of questions can be done by using the SOAR Model, which stands for situation, obstacle, action and result. Further explanation of this model can be found in the interviewing guide.

Other important factors to remember before, during, and after the interview is to dress professionally, bring a portfolio of your best work, always ask for a business card and send a thank-you letter.

Local business managers tend to agree with all these important factors and they noted some of the most impressive qualities they look for.

“One thing that really impresses me is professional attire, making good eye contact, smiling, and by far the most impressive thing would have to be a good handshake,” said Cory Reinhard, BGSU Bookstore Customer Service Supervisor.

“What I look for during an interview is a great response to a question. I like to hear more then a yes or no answer,” said Amanda Denman, Walgreens’ Store Manager.

Any student that wants to enhance their interview skills can visit the Career Center at 322 Saddlemire Student Services in Conklin North.