You are a recent college graduate and now you are ready to take on the world. Perhaps you are a seasoned professional but you haven't been on the job search market in over five years. So what happens next? The dreaded job search and interview process, of course. The following are some simple suggestions to get you started on your way to a successful professional experience in the job market. Preparing for your first job interview can be a frightening experience for those who do not understand the interview process, but also a rewarding one if you do things right from the very beginning.

The interview process is the most important component of your job search strategy. Interviews are conducted face-to-face whenever possible unless distance is an issue, in which case, the interview can be conducted over the phone initially. The latter one may take place if you are interviewing for a position too far to commute. Obviously, you must be willing to move to the area in order to take the position. Sometimes, the initial interview will be conducted over the phone as a sort of screening process. Pass this one and you get invited to part two of the process: the on-site interview.

Think of a job interview as a mini exam that tests how you'll respond in the work place.

• Are you difficult to work with?

• Can you learn quickly?

• Can you handle more than one task at a time?

• Are you reliable?

Usually, the initial interview will be conducted by a Human Resources recruiter, followed by the hiring manager/supervisor, and fellow peers, the people whom you'll be working with side by side.

Job interviews are demanding for the job interviewer and job applicants alike. It is structured as a two-way communication process which means you are expected to participate with your own questions. Your knowledge, practical experience and skills can be put through difficult interview questions and you've got to respond to them convincingly. The interview process is unpredictable and therefore, makes it almost impossible to rehearse the best responses. But that should not stop you from rehearsing a few basic questions such as: "tell me about yourself?" For this one, you'll need to have what's called a "positioning statement", where you describe your professional side. Do not include any personal traits such as hobbies and the like as they have nothing to do with the job itself. Stick to your resume and experience.

Tip for answering the 'tell me about yourself' question: I am a (job title)...with (x) years of experience. I am an effective (insert skill here like manager, etc.) and a proven (insert knowledge here like leader, etc.). My strengths include (include your strengths here like project management, etc.).

Many job applicants find it difficult to answer many of the behavioral interview type questions. Because past performance is a predictor of future behavior, a behavioral interview attempts to uncover your past performance by asking open-ended questions. These types of questions should be responded to with unique examples that demonstrate what's represented on your resume. Candidates can and should draw on previous work related experiences as well as non-work related experiences if needed, as long as they are relevant to the questions being asked.

Any candidate can do well in a behavioral interview as long as they come prepared. If you know your resume like the back of your hand, this should not pose a problem for you. No interview process is easy, but the more you practice and prepare yourself, the more comfortable and confident you'll appear at your next interview.