Preparing for Your Job Interview

You’ve landed the interview you want. Now, how do you maximize your chances of getting an offer?

1. Planning for the Interview:

• Find a quiet location and turn your camera on for all virtual interviews.
• Ask your recruiter what they can tell you about the company, their culture, the interview format, do’s, and don’ts, etc. 
• Show interest by doing your research on the company you’re interviewing with. 
• Familiarize yourself with the company values, mission, and vision. 
• Ensure you have turned off notifications on your phone.
• Have a copy of your resume ready.
• Be ready to take notes and, when appropriate, refer to and ask questions from your notes. 
• Know the names of the interviewers and their roles. Keep in mind that HR and recruiting will ask different questions to peers and hiring managers. Look up the interviewers on LinkedIn. Do you have any previous workplaces in common? 
• Do you have any evidence, materials, or work product you can share with an interviewer without breaching confidentiality agreements?

2. Plan Your Responses for Basic Interview Questions:

• “Tell me about yourself.” Generally, this question is aimed at finding out what type of worker you are. This should give you an opportunity to discuss your work history, skills, and accomplishments. Try to keep this related to the position.
• “Why are you looking for a new job?” It’s important to be honest and professional. You can explain that you’re looking for new opportunities to grow your skills and experience or that you’re seeking a new challenge that aligns with your career goals. You can also mention that you’re interested in the specific job and company that you’re interviewing with and believe that it will be a good fit for your interests and skillset. However, it’s important to avoid speaking negatively about your current or previous employers, as this can come across as unprofessional and may raise concerns about your attitude and ability to work well with others.
• “Why do you want to work here?” This is an opportunity to demonstrate that you have done some research into the company. You can reference things you learned about the company’s culture, technology, growth plans, etc.
• “Tell me about your most recent project(s).” Here we recommend using the “STAR” method. The STAR method is a framework for answering interview questions by providing specific examples of situations you have faced, the tasks involved, the actions you took, and the results you achieved. Prior to the interview, think through some of your proudest achievements and any major projects that you owned or worked on. Be able to explain what the project was and how it works, dive into technical details, and provide specific examples. Keep in mind the result, ideally explaining the impact/benefit for your customers. If it is possible to “show your work” without breaching confidentiality agreements, that can be very helpful. Using a whiteboard or notepad to show your thinking can also be very impactful.

Other common interview questions you might prepare for include:

• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• How do you handle conflict or difficult situations? 
• Can you give an example of a time when you went above and beyond for a customer or coworker? 
• What are your long-term career goals?

3. Practice Your Responses:

In addition to planning your responses for basic interview questions, you might consider practicing your responses out loud or with a friend. This can help you feel more confident and comfortable during the actual interview.

4. Prepare questions to ask:

Prior to the interview, prepare a list of questions to ask the interviewer(s). This demonstrates your interest in the company and can provide you with valuable information if you are offered the job.

5. Dress appropriately:

If you are attending an in-person interview, ensure that you dress professionally. Even for virtual interviews, it is important to dress professionally from head to toe to help you get into the right mindset for the interview.

6. Be mindful of body language:

During the interview, be aware of your body language. Maintain eye contact, sit up straight, and avoid fidgeting or slouching. These nonverbal cues can convey a lot about your confidence and engagement.

7. Be authentic:

While it is important to prepare and practice for the interview, avoid over-rehearsing or appearing insincere. Be yourself and let your personality and enthusiasm for the job come through.

8. Concluding the interview:

Towards the end of the interview, express your enthusiasm for the job. While the interview itself shows your interest, it is important to reiterate your excitement about the position now that you have learned more about it. Politely ask about the next steps in the hiring process to demonstrate your eagerness to move forward.

9. After the interview:

Always follow up with a thank-you email that restates your interest in the position and, where possible, highlight briefly why you are a good fit.