Quick Tip - Consider a mock interview

Have a big interview coming up? Are you ready?

If you are ready, it means you've identified your strengths and weaknesses, you've researched the company, you know your prior accomplishments and have identified ways to make each of them relevant to the hiring manager, etc. But are you ready for the interview itself?

One of the key tactics to prepare for political debates, big football games, and important legal trials is role playing. I remember when they did the post-mortem on Obama's debate with McCain, the person who "played" McCain was Gregory Craig. A Washington lawyer, Craig as McCain condescended to Obama, attempting to bait a response. We now know that was not successful.

Now the odds that you will know or will get to know the hiring manager in this way are small. But what can you learn about them?

1. How long have they been there? Short term, they may be more open to a message of change. Long term, they may be less open.

2. What is their training? Accountant? English major? MBA? All these factors may help you envision how to role play in preparation.

3. Where did they start their career? Small company? Big multi-national? Same industry?

4. Does anyone in your network know them? What a great call that would be, right?

These are just examples and questions that could be readily answered via Google or through their profile on Linkedin.

Remember though - I still believe in you being your authentic self. Don't change your answers or beliefs on the fly based on this information. But it may help you anticipate the tone of the interview as well as which of your strength to emphasize.

If you are actively networking (you should be), grab a fellow job seeker and have a mock interview. Have them put you through the paces as if it were interview day. It's one thing to do it in the mirror and another to do it under pressure across a desk.