Now that a company has expressed interest in your background and desires to set up a meeting, it is time to prepare for the interview. There is a direct correlation between your level of preparation and your success in the interview.

The first priority is to thoroughly know your prospective employer. If the company is a publicly held, volumes of information are required by the Securities and Exchange Commission and available for public consumption. Additionally, the Internet has proved to be a tremendous asset in gathering information on potential employers. Other sources include industry directories, industry publications and industry-specific reference books.

The second step is to check with your network concerning the local operation and management conducting the interview. Valuable insight can be gained by checking with your peers regarding the pluses and minuses of the office and those running it. By uncovering specific strengths and weaknesses in the organization, one can present his/her abilities by addressing those areas in the interview.

If being represented by a search firm, make sure you are adequately prepared by the search consultant for the interview. They are representing the company, as well as yourself, and are privy to valuable information regarding the position, the company and the hiring manager. If the consultant does not volunteer this information, ask probing questions which will provide the answers you need, in order to be confident in the interview.