Do Your Field Work for Interviews

Courtesy of Asma Asyyed

Interviews can be hard work, but they do have their rewards, even if you don't get the job. I've based these tips on feedback I received--sometimes painfully--after my interviews.

Be honest--I learned this the hard way when a friend of mine won a position that I was applying for, because she was more honest than I was. I answered what I thought the interviewers wanted to hear. It did not occur to me until later that this was a test of my common sense and honesty.

Be confident about your ideas--At the same time, try to understand the arguments against them. This will make it easier for you to defend your ideas. As an example, one of my interviewers told me I was too young for the job. I knew I was capable of doing the job and that my age should not have...