Careful preparation is an essential component of a polished interview performance to help you outperform the competition. How much do you already know about the hiring company? Do you know who will be interviewing you? What sort of tough questions could come up -- and how would you deal with them?

Feeling nervous already? Don't worry, that's energy you can turn to your advantage. Doing thorough homework helps to get you ready emotionally as well as intellectually to make your best impression. Here are four ways to get ready for the challenge of an interview and market yourself effectively.

1. Find out as much as you can about the company you want to work for. Don't be caught out by topics that expose gaps in your understanding of the business or industry. Good background knowledge can help you deal with those tricky interview questions that require you to 'think on your feet'. You may also discover relevant topics and pressing concerns that you can research in advance.
   • Visit the company website and find out the names and roles of key personnel
   • Research the main departments and the products or services that the company offers
   • Do an online search for news items, press releases and other useful information
2. Learn about your interviewer. If you'll be meeting more than one person, try to find out in advance what each of them does for the company and see if there's information about their recent achievements and activities; there may be an opportunity to refer to some of these details in your interview. Show your interest and enthusiasm for the job by being well-briefed on important issues.
3. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. A practice interview can help you to anticipate major discussion points and get experience in dealing with tough questions. And don't just focus on the content of your answers: interviewers gain a lot of information from non-verbal cues and body language. If you're practicing with a friend, ask for feedback on the impact of
   More Employers Embracing the Concept of Telecommuting
   Just a few short years ago, telecommuting was a rare benefit for a select few. Employers were reluctant to give up the belief that employees needed watching, and that working from home really meant a day of watching soap operas, devouring chocolates, and catching up on the laundry. The traditional 9-to-5 in the office was the accepted standard for assuring that employees were where th
   the hiring company? Do you know who will be interviewing you? What sort of tough questions could come up -- and how would you deal with them?

   Feeling nervous already? Don't worry, that's energy you can turn to your advantage. Doing thorough homework helps to get you ready emotionally as well as intellectually to make your best impression. Here are four ways to get ready for the challenge of an interview and market yourself effectively.

   1. Find out as much as you can about the company you want to work for. Don't be caught out by topics that expose gaps in your understanding of the business or industry. Good background knowledge can help you deal with those tricky interview questions that require you to 'think on your feet'. You may also discover relevant topics and pressing concerns that you can research in advance.
      • Visit the company website and find out the names and roles of key personnel
      • Research the main departments and the products or services that the company offers
      • Do an online search for news items, press releases and other useful information
   2. Learn about your interviewer. If you'll be meeting more than one person, try to find out in advance what each of them does for the company and see if there's information about their recent achievements and activities; there may be an opportunity to refer to some of these details in your interview. Show your interest and enthusiasm for the job by being well-briefed on important issues.
   3. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. A practice interview can help you to anticipate major discussion points and get experience in dealing with tough questions. And don't just focus on the content of your answers: interviewers gain a lot of information from non-verbal cues and body language. If you're practicing with a friend, ask for feedback on the impact of
      Business Writing - Using Contractions Isn't a Bad Thing
      Business writing today is much less formal than it was twenty years ago, mainly due to the influence of email. Most people use email as an alternative to face-to-face conversation where informality is key.Since we frequently use contractions when speaking, it's certainly acceptable to use contractions in most of our daily business writing. However, confusion over the correct for
      as you can about the company you want to work for. Don't be caught out by topics that expose gaps in your understanding of the business or industry. Good background knowledge can help you deal with those tricky interview questions that require you to 'think on your feet'. You may also discover relevant topics and pressing concerns that you can research in advance.
      • Visit the company website and find out the names and roles of key personnel
      • Research the main departments and the products or services that the company offers
      • Do an online search for news items, press releases and other useful information
   4. Learn about your interviewer. If you'll be meeting more than one person, try to find out in advance what each of them does for the company and see if there's information about their recent achievements and activities; there may be an opportunity to refer to some of these details in your interview. Show your interest and enthusiasm for the job by being well-briefed on important issues.
   5. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. A practice interview can help you to anticipate major discussion points and get experience in dealing with tough questions. And don't just focus on the content of your answers: interviewers gain a lot of information from non-verbal cues and body language. If you're practicing with a friend, ask for feedback on the impact of
      HOLY SMOKE! Was THAT An Illegal Question?
      Let's start out by saying that you should not be too worried about being asked an illegal interview question for devious, underhanded purposes. In most cases the interviewer is making innocent conversation, or trying to find out if you are going to be able to perform the essential duties of the job.Keeping that in mind, let's look at an example. Let's say that you see a job post
      the main departments and the products or services that the company offers
   6. Do an online search for news items, press releases and other useful information
   7. Learn about your interviewer. If you'll be meeting more than one person, try to find out in advance what each of them does for the company and see if there's information about their recent achievements and activities; there may be an opportunity to refer to some of these details in your interview. Show your interest and enthusiasm for the job by being well-briefed on important issues.
   8. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. A practice interview can help you to anticipate major discussion points and get experience in dealing with tough questions. And don't just focus on the content of your answers: interviewers gain a lot of information from non-verbal cues and body language. If you're practicing with a friend, ask for feedback on the impact of
      Why Aren't There Any Teaching Jobs in Michigan? Or New Jersey? Or Pennsylvania? Or New York?
      Michigan is one of the absolute hardest states to find a job in. In fact, many areas in the United States have a surplus of qualified teachers and very, very few open positions to fill.Why? It's the economy. The manufacturing jobs that were once the staple of the northeastern economy are going bankrupt and/or relocating in other countries, where labor is cheaper. (You can thank
      ur interview. Show your interest and enthusiasm for the job by being well-briefed on important issues.
   9. Rehearse, rehearse, rehearse. A practice interview can help you to anticipate major discussion points and get experience in dealing with tough questions. And don't just focus on the content of your answers: interviewers gain a lot of information from non-verbal cues and body language. If you're practicing with a friend, ask for feedback on the impact of your delivery and gestures.
   10. Be organized. Keep a checklist in the days leading up to the interview date. Savvy interviewees know the value of preparing for the unexpected -- so make sure that you have essential items at the ready, such as a pen (that works!) and paper for notes, a spare copy of your resume, and a supply of business cards, if you use them. It's also useful to have a mental list of questions that you might want to ask the interviewer.

   The knowledge that you've prepared thoroughly for an interview contributes to a calm and positive attitude -- and don't forget the importance of a good night's sleep beforehand to help you stay confident and alert!