Have you ever painted a house?  If so, you know most of the work is in the preparation.   Interviewing for a new job is no different.

Learn about the company or public agency through their website, marketing literature, or current and past employees.  If the organization is local visit their office and ask for any material that would help you understand what they do and how they think and act.

1.                   Start with the ‘Mission Statement’ to get a sense of their long-term vision

2.                   Find out if they post or publish specific projects and project goals to learn about their day-to-day activities

3.                   Learn about the culture of the organization.  Do they describe themselves as a ‘team’, or ‘work-hard / play-hard’, or having a ‘challenging and fun work environment’?  

4.                   Find people who are currently employed in a position similar to the one for which you are interviewing.  Ask about what it is like to work for the company or agency.  Ask if they would apply to work there again.