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Your Interview's Tomorrow! Know What to Do?

Even if you have less than a day before your job interview, you can outshine the competition with a little preparation. The following four tasks will take you about four hours (plus five minutes) to complete, and you’ll walk into the interview confident you’ll be successful.

Conduct Basic Interview Research

Find out as much as you can about the interview. Call the person who scheduled your appointment and ask:

• Who will you be talking to? Will you meet the manager you’d work for, or will you just talk to HR? What are the interviewer’s expectations?

• What’s the dress code? Dress better than suggested. Most times, it’s best for men to wear a suit and women to wear a professional business outfit. You’d be amazed how many candidates show up looking like they’re going to class, not presenting a professional demeanor.

• Get directions to the office. Plan to leave early. Keep a phone number to call if you get stuck on the bus or in traffic. If you arrive late and stressed, the interview will not go well.

• If you don’t have a detailed job description, ask for one.

That’s a five-minute phone call.