Do Your Homework

Most of our clients are looking for the following things in the entry-level interview:

* Smarts. Does the candidate have the goods upstairs necessary to handle the rigors of the position?
* Experience. Does the candidate have *any* experience that relates the position?
* Attitude. Will the candidate be happy/upbeat doing the actual *work*? Is he/she willing to "pay his dues" in the entry-level role and establish themselves as a solid contributor before expecting a new role?
* Enthusiasm/Interest. We break this into 3 pieces.
- interest in the role:
- interest in the company:
- interest in the industry:

This last one might be the most important, and lucky for you, it's completely under your control. Make sure you understand the position, and relay your enthusiasm for the actual role to your interviewer. Research the company and its competition. Understand how the company's product/service is differentiated and come to the interview with questions that show you did research beyond perusing the company Web site. Know the industry players, the direct competition as well as the niche players doing interesting things, and weave that knowledge into your interview answers.

Do your homework: you'll distinguish yourself from your competition, and when you actually land the job, be able to hit the ground running.