There is no myth or mystery to interviewing. However, there are several things you should keep in mind. First and foremost, the goal of the interviewer is to place the right person in the right job at the right time. Additionally, remember that over the course of the interview...

The Interviewer is Ascertaining:

1. Correct skills for the position
2. Appropriate experience and accomplishments
3. Potential chemistry with immediate superior and peers
4. Understanding of the mission of the employer
5. Communication style and thought process

1. Your experience, skills and accomplishments
2. How you think
3. Your personality
4. Your communication style

1. Be on time
2. Dress professionally; a dark suit is recommended
3. Bring clean extra copies of your resume and a reference list
4. If appropriate to your specific field, bring writing samples or other small demonstrations of your work
5. DO NOT bring up salary in the first interview

1. Learn as much as you can about the organization before your interview
2. What are the organization's goals and priorities for this position?
3. Who is the interviewer? What is his or her background?
4. Do they have the authority/power to answer questions definitively?
5. What will the interviewer likely look for and focus on?

1. Act naturally
2. Be confident, but DO NOT display arrogance
3. Have a sense of humor, but don't be a comedian
4. Do not hesitate to ask questions about the opportunity during the interview

1. Be positive about yourself, your current employer, your career
2. Answer questions in a reasonable amount of time - don't wear out your welcome or "babble on"
3. Try to relate your answers to the interviewer and his or her company. Focus on achievements relevant to the position.
4. If any of the interviewer's questions or comments are inappropriate, be discreet and confident - DO NOT get defensive, angry or confrontational.

1. Ask if there are other candidates
2. Ask about the next steps
3. Express your level of interest in the position
4. Thank the interviewer for their time
5. Use a firm handshake to close the interview, and leave once you have said good-bye (do not continue to make idle small talk once you have said good-bye - the interviewer's time is valuable)

1. Encourage the interviewer to share information about his or her company.
2. Demonstrate your interest. Some suggested questions to ask the interviewer are provided in the "Questions You Could Ask the Employer" section.

1. Should be written and sent the day of or day after the interview
2. Should express your interest in the position and reiterate what you can bring to the organization.

Pinnacle Suggested Questions You May Want To Ask

1. Why is this position open?
2. How often has it been filled in the past five years? What were the main reasons?
3. What would you like done differently by the next person who fills this position?
4. What are some of the objectives you would like to see accomplished in this job?
5. What is most pressing? What would you like to have done in the next 3 months.
6. What are some of the long term objectives you would like to see completed?
7. What are some of the more difficult problems one would have to face in this position?
8. How do you think these could best be handled?
9. What type of support does this position receive in terms of people, finances. etc?
10. What freedom would I have in determining my own work objectives, deadlines, and methods of measurement?
11. What advancement opportunities are available for the person who is successful in this position, and within what time frame?
12. In what ways has this organization been most successful in terms of products and services over the years?
13. What significant changes do you foresee in the near future?
14. How is one evaluated in this position?
15. What accounts for success within the company?