The job interview may be the most important step to career advancement you will ever take. You may think it's possible to sail up the ranks of corporate culture being recognized for your ability and competence, never having to sell yourself or endure the rigors of a job interview. However, in today's competitive work place it is almost impossible to advance your career (even within your own firm) without learning how to interview effectively. With every step up the corporate ladder there are job evaluations and interviews, formal or otherwise, which determine who moves up and who stays put.

The purpose of the job interview is to win a job offer you can accept. Job interviewing for any other reason isn't worth the risk of exposure if employed, or the damage to your reputation should you be perceived as using a good-faith, external offer to advance your career internally, or to gain information about external pay. If you are simply interested in learning about other firms and job opportunities, there are safer and better ways to do this. If you decide to interview, then you should decide to win at the interview and get a job offer you can accept.

As with most victories, to win at an interview you must be willing too work at preparation. You will need to develop skills and learn how to perform under a variety of circumstances, and with a variety of personalities.