How well you prepare for personal interactions can account for up to 90% of your success. The more important your goal for the interaction, the more important it is to prepare. Preparation can be as simple as a mental checklist and as complex as a documented plan. Preparing has three stages: prepare the other, prepare the context, and prepare yourself.

Preparing the other: To prepare the candidate, first engage the candidate by contacting her to set expectations for the interview. HR may do this for you. If they do, great, but make sure it is done. Make sure the candidate is Informed when, where, and how long you expect the interview will take.

Preparing the context: Prepare the context of the interview by setting up the location where you’ll meet. Consider the position of chairs, the view, whether you’ll provide refreshments, etc. Make sure that these support your purpose.

Preparing yourself: Make sure that you are clear about what you are looking for in the position and in the candidate. In other words, did you do all the steps of this e-module? Prepare your questions up front and make sure they actually get at what you want to know. Review any information you have about the topic and the person to craft your approach. Finally, try to always give yourself five minutes before a meeting just to relax.