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The interview process can often be a very competitive one. The purpose of the interview process is to find the best and most qualified person for the position; the person who will best meet the needs of the organization. There are usually many candidates for most professional positions. Your invitation to the interview process often means that you have already passed one screening. Your application or resume has led the employer to believe that you meet and/or exceed their minimum qualifications for the position they are seeking to fill.

The interview is another way for the employer to screen you as an applicant and decide whether you meet the qualifications for the position and if you appear to be the type of person who will best fit the ideals of the organization. The employer doesn't usually care that you desperately need a job for the money, the benefits, or the experience. They need someone who will fill their position. Thus, your job in the interview is to be able to articulate for the employer why you are the best person for the position and how hiring you will be of benefit to the employer.

The interview is a process. It doesn't begin when you are in the room with the interviewer and end the moment you walk out. Rather, it begins the moment you enter the building in which the organization is located and doesn't stop until long after you have left. Therefore, it is important for you to show yourself in the best possible light to everyone from the doorman or receptionist to the president of the organization. As a newcomer, you never know whether the person beside you on the elevator is the president of the company, or whether the secretary to whom you are rude has the ear of the person in charge of making hiring decisions.

The best way to ensure success in the interview process is to practice your skills and be prepared. If you have practiced and prepared, you will feel more confident and make a better impression on those who interview you. So, relax, and enjoy your interview. Remember, there are only two or three possible outcomes. You may be offered a position with the company. You may receive a letter of rejection. Or, you may be offered another position with the company that better matches your skills with the employer's needs. Win, lose, or draw, each interview in which you participate is an opportunity for you to practice articulating your skills and abilities and gain experience in the job search process.