Everyone knows they’ll be expected to answer a series of questions in a job interview.

It is equally important to be prepared to ask good questions. The interviewer will expect it, and I recommend having them outlined in advance so that nothing is forgotten or overlooked. And, it never hurts to show that you spent time thinking through this important meeting!

The interviewee is typically invited to ask questions near the end of the discussion. Following are some questions you may want to ask during your interview:

• Why is this position open? (Due to growth? Or was the position vacated, and if so, why?)
• What is your highest priority in the next six months, and how could I help?
• Are there any challenges in particular awaiting the person who takes on this role?
• What are the characteristics of your top people?
• What are your personal satisfactions and disappointments since you have been with the company?

Notice that I said be prepared to ask good questions. With the amount of information now available at our fingertips, candidates are expected to do a certain amount of research before the interview. Asking questions that could easily be answered by visiting the company’s website or with a simple Google search can make you appear uninspired and unprepared.

Know before you go, and don’t ask:

• What the company does.
• The history of growth of the company.
• Number of employees and locations, annual revenue, and whether they’re publicly or privately held.
• If the company is public, you might want to know its current stock price, bond rating, and overall financial health.
• If the company is private, check your local paper or Google for articles reporting impending layoffs, new product launches, or other potential signs of financial health.
• The company’s top competitors and how they stack up in terms of product, market share, and strengths and weaknesses.

These are all things you should research in advance and incorporate your findings as appropriate in the interview to demonstrate your initiative and readiness.

Whatever you do, don’t be this person:

Adria Alpert Romm, a Human Resources executive for Discovery Communications, is quoted in the May 2009 edition of Real Simple Magazine in an article about how to find (and keep) a job.  “I interviewed someone recently and he boasted how much he loved one of our shows. The problem was that the show was on a competing network! It was clear to me that he knew nothing about Discovery.

In four weeks, my hubby and I are traveling to Italy to celebrate our three-year wedding anniversary! The trip is jam-packed with activity as we spend over 10 days traveling from Rome, to Tuscany, then finally to Venice.

First things first though, "what am I going to wear?"

Like most females, this is my main priority.  We’ll be in Italy 10 days and I won’t have a lot of room in my luggage to pack everything I’d like to wear, so I have to pick and choose wisely.  I researched the weather for Italy in May and typically it’s in the upper 60s to low 70s (perfect weather!), so I’m going to wear layers.  I know we’ll be walking around A LOT so instead of packing my cute heels, I’m sticking with flats and running shoes. It might not be the latest fashion trend, but I have learned from previous trips that heels are a bad idea.

Once I have my wardrobe figured out, the next item on my list is researching the places we’ll be visiting.  It’s very important to do your ‘homework’ before you go on a trip.  I bought an amazing book titled Rick Steves’ Italy 2010. This book is perfect for anyone traveling to Italy.  It tells you the in’s and out’s of the cities and where to eat and what to do.  It also tells you cool paths to take while walking the streets in Rome at night. Very romantic!

In addition, we also researched Trip Advisor on which hotels are best. We’re staying at nice hotels in both Rome and Venice, but I’m most excited about our hotel in Tuscany. It’s called Relais Viganle located in Radda in the Chianti region.  It looks beautiful!

Just like me, you might be planning for a fun get-away this summer, but did you know that these same principles can also be used when preparing for a job interview?

The same way you research and prepare for your trip, is the same way you prepare for an interview.

For example, again first things first, you need to find the right ‘outfit’ or attire for your interview. It’s always better to be a little overdressed than underdressed. For men, a nice suit is always a good choice, and for women, a business suit is professional yet can be trendy with a cute pair of heels.

You should also research the company you’re interviewing with.  Do your homework! The same way you surf the web for local attractions or reviews of a vacation spot,  research the company online. Know their website inside and out. Are there press releases, or reviews of the company on the web? Also, are they active on social media sites? If so, see what they're saying to their customers.

Finally, it’s always a good idea to have a list of questions for the interviewer.  These questions will show them you have done your homework.  Make sure the questions pertain to the roles/responsibilities of the job you are interviewing for.  Some great interview questions can be found in this article.

I hope some of this information has been helpful whether you’re planning for a trip-of-a-lifetime or preparing for a job interview. I know our trip will be one we will never forget.

Ciao! 

In previous posts I have told you how you can build great relationships via Twitter. Also, Craig Fisher wrote about the "cool kids" that are using Twitter and other social media outlets to network. Now, I want to give you a real example of how Ben McCormack, a new MATRIX consultant, used Twitter to find a job. I spoke with Ben a few days ago, and asked him to walk me through the job-search process he used on Twitter.

Did you join Twitter intending to look for a job?

I joined twitter about 8 months ago to start following experts in the Microsoft .NET Silverlight space. I noticed there were many industry experts on Twitter so I figured it could be a great tool to gain knowledge of a specific subject. I started following a guy by the name of Joel Spolsky. One day, I noticed a tweet that they were hiring a Support Engineer in New York. So I responded to the tweet and actually got a job interview. Though, I didn't get that specific job, it made me realize that Twitter really can be a powerful tool in a job search.

How did you find your new job on Twitter?

Like I said, I wasn't actively "looking for a job." But, one day I noticed that one of your recruiters, Kelly Thielemann, started following me. I looked at her profile information and saw that she was a Technical Recruiter in the Atlanta area. I read through the information she was sharing on Twitter, and I liked it, so I decided to start following her. A few days later, she sent out a job that she was looking to fill. It sounded interesting to me so I went ahead and responded to her. From there, MATRIX took care of the rest.

How often did you check Twitter for updates?

I use a desktop application called TweetDeck to arrange and organize my Twitter account. I stayed of top of the information that was being shared daily - usually every evening. What I like about Twitter is you can be close enough to see what's going on, but you are not obligated to respond.

Do you think Twitter is a powerful tool in a job search?

Yes. Definitely. Again, you can keep a pulse on what is going on in and around the "technical community." My e-mail wasn't clogged with "suggested jobs" and I didn't have to browse through jobs on a career site.

Now, I know that Ben's story sounds easy. And, not everyone will be followed by a Technical Recruiter in the exact city where they are looking for a job.

So, you need to be proactive and, just as Ben did, follow experts that are in your field. Run searches using TweepSearch.com or Search.Twitter.com to find specific people or conversations. You can also find numerous articles about using Twitter to find a job.

The point is, Twitter really does work in a job search.

Has it been a while since you’ve interviewed? Not much time to prepare? Don’t panic. The rules of dating can also be applied to interviewing. 

Do not arrive too early.

Human resources professionals and hiring managers have busy schedules and work by appointment. By arriving more than ten minutes before the meeting is scheduled you show disrespect for their time. If you must, wait in the lobby or your car before going to the interview location.

Do not show your desperation!

Telling the interviewer that you haven’t had an interview in months, you don’t have health insurance, or that you really need this job, is not going to improve your chances. Quite the contrary! If you told someone on a first date that you’re broke, about to lose your house - and car, and you really need to marry them, what do you think are the chances that you’d see that person again?

A proper thank you is always appreciated.

Send a note and thank the interviewer for their time. Have the envelope addressed and stamped before you even leave for the interview, and the moment you get home, write the note. (At the very least, send an email!) This is important because the discussion will be fresh in your mind, and you should reference one or two key points from your conversation. Use this opportunity to reinforce why you are a good fit for the position and how you can benefit the company.

Whatever you do for God’s sake do not stalk the interviewer.

This includes calling and hanging up. Yes, they have Caller ID, and they know it’s you! Nobody likes to be stalked or harassed. When they have news about next steps they’ll reach out to you. If they don’t, you may need to prepare for the fact that they just might not be that in to you. Ask at the end of your interview when and how you should follow up, and do it. If at that time they don’t have any news for you, ask when and how you should follow up next.

There are phrases that might seem strange at first, but then quickly integrate themselves into our culture. Like back in 1986, you could probably sing along with Cameo and "tell your brother, your sister, and mama too. . . Word up!" Or maybe in 1999 you were "watchin' the game, havin' a bud" when "wasssup" went viral. Either way, I said these phrases and I'm sure you did too.

One phrase that definitely seemed strange to me at first was "Tweetup". Urban Dictionary defines tweetup as: a group of friends on Twitter (social network) that are planning to meet up.

A few nights ago, I attended the #punkATL Tweetup, planned by Stephanie A. Lloyd, Laurie Ruettimann, and Todd Schnick. It was a great mix of recruiters, social media gurus, and HR professionals gathering to share stories and accomplishments of 2009.

For me, there is always a mixture of emotions going into Tweetups. I'm excited to finally meet in person, all those that I've begun building a relationship with via Twitter. But just like any networking event, there is always some anxiety about stepping out and mingling with folks I don't know. No matter how "social" you are, that can be tough.

But if you're a job seeker, I'm sure you've heard that "networking" is key. And using social media can be a huge advantage in your job search.

Running the MATRIX Twitter account, I'm constantly seeing individuals connecting with us who need a job. And I think "good for you," you're doing more than just submitting resumes on a career site, you're getting your name out there, and using Twitter to find a job.

But it goes beyond just "following" someone on Twitter. You need to engage with them. Do your homework.

That's why Tweetups can be so beneficial. You get to interact with individuals on Twitter (get to know them a little; gather some good talking points) before you actually meet them in person. Also, a Tweetup usually has a hash-tag associated with it like #punkATL. That way you can find out who's attending and review their Twitter profile and photo, so that meeting them at the live event is much warmer than a cold introduction.

Remember, Twitter and other social media sites are a powerful tool for today's job seekers, but there is no substitute for one-on-one networking. Get out there! Find your local Tweetups (or organize your own) and shake some hands, smile, and put a real face with an avatar.