The night before a job interview can be a time of high anxiety and stress for many workers. Rather than spend a sleepless night going through an endless cycle of “what ifs” in your mind, try going through a checklist to ensure you are prepared, allowing you to get a good nights’ rest feeling confident and ready.

Taking the First Step
Adequate preparation is a critical contributor to whether someone fails or succeeds in attaining any goal, including job interviews. With so many things to remember when preparing for an interview, using a checklist to remind you of even the smallest of steps will go a long way in building your pre-interview confidence. Rest easy after reviewing this checklist:

Done Your Research?
□ I know the company’s missions and values.
□ I have a general idea of the company’s history.
□ I can name the organization’s top management team.
□ I am aware of the company’s top competitors.

Understand the Role?
□ I know the job title and responsibilities.
□ I’ve researched the latest trends/lingo related to the profession/role.
□ I am armed with my desired compensation range.
□ I have rehearsed and practiced explaining how my skills and experience make me qualified for this position.

Know What You Want from an Employer
□ I’ve determined what type of work environment I enjoy.
□ I have identified the type of role I need to further my career.
□ I have a list of questions to ask my interviewer about the organization.

Practice Makes Perfect
□ I have prepared my answers to basic interview questions.
□ I’ve developed examples/stories that illustrate my skills and experience.
□ I have rehearsed answers to potentially tricky or negative questions.
□ I can succinctly discuss my background and resume highlights.

Logistics
□ I have the address, phone and directions to my interview location.
□ I know what time I need to leave and have built in extra time to avoid being late.
□ I know the person I am to ask for and with whom I’ll be interviewing.
□ I have compiled examples of my work, and several copies of my resume to bring.
□ I have packed my notepad, pens and materials in my briefcase/portfolio.
□ Appropriate business attire/suit is picked out and cleaned.

Once you have reviewed and completed this checklist, you can feel confident that you have prepared as best you could for the interview. Good luck!