Successful Interviews Begin with Preparation

As a speech pathologist, your education and talent will open the door to many incredible job prospects. Polishing your interviewing skills will make you a more attractive candidate and ensure that you have the information you need to make the right career move. A successful job interview is not only a forum for you to promote your skills and abilities - it is an opportunity for you to compare your personal goals and values to those of your potential employer.

Before your next job interview, it's important to take time to prepare. Consider the following tips:

Know yourself. Most job seekers skip the most important part of the interview process: preparation. Of course you know yourself, but how comfortable are you talking about yourself? Before you arrive for your interview, you should be able to clearly articulate your skills and abilities. Practice talking about yourself out loud. Identify your interests and values, strengths and weaknesses, accomplishments you are proud of, and your short and long term career goals. Be able to provide specific examples that will give the employer insight into your skills and character. You can be confident that these topics will come up at some point in the interview process.

Know the industry. Recall what sparked your interest in speech pathology - and be prepared to talk about it. Brush up on news and recent trends in the rehabilitation industry by reading current periodicals and trade journals. Know the average salary in your geographic location for a person with your experience and qualifications.

Know the job and the company. Do your research. You should have a clear understanding of the job you are applying for, and basic knowledge of the company you are interviewing with. If the company has a website, the internet is a great place to start learning. You will want to be well-versed of the history and reputation of the company, the size and structure of the company, and the customers it serves.

Ace the first impression. Like it or not, first impressions are lasting impressions. Carry yourself proudly and use a firm handshake to introduce yourself. Dress professionally, use make-up moderately, and don't overdo the use of jewelry. Keep your hair, mustache, or beard well trimmed. Avoid strong perfume, cologne, or aftershave. Don't chew gum, and avoid nervous habits like leg shaking, twitching, and ums or uhs. Smile and maintain good eye contact throughout the interview.

Maintain a positive attitude. Be gracious when referring to previous employers. Speaking negatively about other companies and professionals will only reflect poorly on you.

Never try to stretch the truth. You never know how much your interviewer already knows about you. In a professional community as close-knit as speech pathology, a little white lie can sabotage your job search.