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Because there is no concrete dividing line between the formal interview and other less formal conversations with employers, we have chosen to deal with interviewing in the broader context of building a relationship with potential employers.
Building a Relationship with Potential Employers Once you have located interesting employers with positions open, the process of exchanging information and building a relationship begins. Some aspects of this process can be approached head-on, and others are best approached indirectly. Remember that this process is a two-way street. You should be collecting information about the employer and forming opinions about them. They will also be collecting similar information and forming opinions about you. In essence, you are both investigating and interviewing each other. You do not have to take a job with someone who does not meet your standards, just as they probably won't hire someone who doesn't meet theirs.
Information to Exchange Directly Information You Get From the Employer
Contact information: telephone, mailing address, email address, etc.
Information You Give to the Employer
Don't forget to agree on the time and method of the next contact you will make with the employer.
Information to Gather Indirectly Information You Gather Indirectly About the Employer
Information the Employer Gathers Indirectly About You
For a printer friendly version of the lists above, Click Here.
For detailed information on each item in the lists above, Click Here.
The interview process is more an art than a science. You will need to tailor your approach to fit different employers. A detailed course in interview skills is beyond the scope of The Career Game. If you want to go into more depth on this subject, get a copy of What Color is Your Parachute? by Richard Bolles.
What Color is Your Parachute?
(If this book changes its title or becomes unavailable, you may be linked to a book with a different title.)
To proceed to "Negotiating," Click Here.
Remember
-- Employers will generally only communicate with you for reasons that
are important to them. This means that they may not contact you just
to say they received your resume, or to say they are no longer considering
you, or to tell you they have filled a position. 
Idea
-- If you have tried to contact an employer twice without success, you
may wish to change your method of contact. Switch from telephone
to email, email to fax, etc. Then, if you are still not connecting
with the employer, you should probably conclude that it's time to move
on. If you have made contact previously but the employer stopped
responding, it's probably best to pursue other options. However,
keep that employer "on your back burner" in case the contact becomes active
again.
Pitfall
-- Both employers and job seekers can make the mistake of trying to gather
information directly that is best gathered indirectly. Facts can
be gathered directly; opinions are best gathered indirectly. Facts
are objective; opinions are subjective. For example, you should not
ask questions that employers cannot answer objectively and that might offend
them, such as, "Do you have a good reputation?" You will have to
discover from other sources whether the employer has a good reputation
or not. By the same token, you should not tell employers your opinions
about yourself, such as how organized and professional you think you are.
You should let the employers come to their own conclusions about your qualities
from the facts you give them, from your interaction with them, and from
their independent investigations. Gather subjective information from
third parties, or form your own intuitive conclusions. Good employers
will be doing the same thing.
Success
-- As with any relationship, employers will generally give you clues when
you are making a favorable impression. If they sound excited about
you or make an effort to stay in touch with you, there is a good chance
they are seriously thinking about hiring you.