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Advanced preparation before you interview for a job in tech will save you a lot of stress later.[/caption]Whether you’re a seasoned pro or fresh to the workforce, being prepared for an interview can help you as a candidate to be on your “A” game. If you’re seeking employment in the tech sector, there are several things we suggest you do to be ready to wow us, and our clients. Here are 10 things we recommend all tech talent do before an interview.

Be Prepared for Your Interview by Doing These Prior

1. Google Yourself

What search results come up when you look yourself up? Hopefully, the top search is your up-to-date LinkedIn profile, or even better, your personal website. A Google search can also open the door to the next item on our list – social media.

2. Tidy Up Your Social Media

A good rule of thumb, if you wouldn’t share it with an absolute stranger, you should be wary of posting it on your social media channels. SnapChat, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and more, social media can be a job seeker’s best friend or worst enemy. Make sure you set a good virtual first impression of how you wish to be perceived.

3. GitHub & More

If your job requires you to write code, it is common for employers to ask for a link to your GitHub profile or another repository that houses examples of your work. We understand that some work can fall under the category of “classified” and in such cases, it is recommended that your repo reflect your contributions to community or personal projects that will give us or the hiring manager a sense of your skill level.

4. Know Your Worth

Looking to make a move into a new market for an opening? Added some more highly sought-after skills to your wheelhouse? Doing your research and understanding your market rate (the salary or hourly rate you can command with your level of skills and market demand) can help save you and recruiters a lot of time. Salary.com is a great starting place and Quora can deliver crowd-sourced answers as well.

5. Resumes

The first and last words in resumes is this: yes, you still need a resume. We have lots of info on resumes on our blog. There are also a number of resume development services, too. Product Hunt lists plenty of them. We encourage you to check them out. Make sure to have at least one to two other people review your resume for errors and offer you feedback.

6. Research & Preparation

Learn about the role and if possible, the team you’ll be working on and any projects you’d be taking on if hired. You should also learn about the company and its culture. Candidates who take the time to learn more about the potential role and are able to come into the interview better prepared. Run through a list of typical interview questions (check out our Interview Insider column for great questions and answers) and jot down your answers and take time to practice them. Preparation will help you be more at ease during the actual interview.

7. Have Your Questions Ready

You’ve got questions, we’ve got answers – and so too, will our clients. Recruiters and hiring managers expect candidates to have questions for them. As a note, if you’re working with a recruiter, you’ll want to leave questions regarding salary and benefits to them.

8. First Impressions

You have one chance to make a first impression. Make sure you’re ready to set a lasting one that is positive. Get a haircut, polish those shoes and have that interview outfit pressed and ready to go. While suits aren’t as commonplace as they were once before, sloppiness is never okay.

9. Find The Location

As silly as it might sound, you’d be surprised how many candidates wait until the day of their big interview to know where it is they are going. Taking the time to drive to the location and understand exactly where you need to be will help you anticipate time needed to get there and help you be less stressed the day of.

10. Pep Talk

Before you leave for your interview, take a moment to stop and look at yourself in the mirror. While you are looking at your reflection, give yourself a pre-interview pep talk. You’ve got this! You’re going to do great! BELIEVE it will happen that way and SEE in your mind’s eye the interview going well and you receiving the follow-up or offer right away. A little bit of extra positive vibes can help calm nerves and boost your confidence level.Good luck! We know you’ll do great. Just remember, if it is meant to be, it WILL be. There is a great job out there for everyone and we welcome the opportunity to help you find it.

Like this post? Check out more Talent Tips & Interview Insider articles