How to make an interview to apply for a job

There are 4 steps to make an effective interview to apply for a job

1. Step 1

   Do a little homework before pursuing the interview using the techniques I suggest - they call for extra effort on your part. If possible, make a call or two to others in the department where the vacancy exists - people working at your level, your potential colleagues. Try to verify that the position is "live" and potentially available to you (e.g., Is the it funded? Is there a strong in-house candidate? Are you a fit for the salary range?). Next honestly "self-qualify": Do your qualifications really match the employer's stated needs? Take the steps that follow only if you're convinced you are a candidate who would likely be well received if only you could get that interview!

2. Step 2

   IN TOWN ON BUSINESS - Maybe you've had a telephone interview that went well but didn't lead to a face-to-face interview. You've heard that local candidates are being interviewed first and you're from outside the area. Consider calling your contact and advising him or her that a business trip will have you in their city next week and you'd like to offer to stop by and discuss the position in person. That takes away the challenge of overcoming travel expenses. It might break you through the initial screening list and get you considered where you would not otherwise have been. It's worth a try! Always stay in your honesty comfort zone. Never cook up a story you're uncomfortable supporting. If a business trip isn't in the offing, you might just be in town for personal reasons. The objective is to make it painless for the hiring official to meet you in person.

3. Step 3

   DO BUSINESS WITH YOUR INTERVIEWER - There's an organization in which you'd like to work. Look for an occasion (work-related or volunteer) to develop a professional relationship with the people you hope will hire you. It might be representing your profession at a college career night or participating in a workshop either sponsored by or on a topic you have in common with the potential employer. It could be more immediate if there's a logical reason for you to arrange a business appointment with the hiring official. As above, make it real. It's fine to make things happen, but it shouldn't be obviously contrived. Think about your particular situation and see if there's an acceptable way to arrange a business occasion with the interviewer and demonstrate your talents and interest in his or her job vacancy.

4. Step 4

   HAVE A REFERENCE CALL - It's one thing to list a person as a reference, it's quite another to have that person take the initiative to personally call the hiring official on your behalf. This can be touchy. The reference has to be someone clearly respected by the interviewer, and his or her call must be a brief, businesslike and sincere advocacy of your candidacy. If you sense any reluctance or that it will be anything less than heartfelt, don't do it. That said, and properly done, a respected reference calling on your behalf can break you out of the pack and boost you to the interview stage.