How to Prepare For An Interview [and Get the Job]

While recruiters may be responsible for getting your foot in the door, it is up to you to cross the finish line. Once you update your resume and your interview is confirmed, take a look at these tips to help you ace your interview and land your dream job.

BASIC TIPS

Make a good first impression

Be positive, authentic, and enthusiastic. Ask the interviewer how they are doing, say how excited and grateful you are for the opportunity to meet with them.

Do not just answer questions with yes or no — use your answers as a means of conversation.

Have confidence

Even if you do not feel 100% confident, act it. Have good posture and body language, speak loudly and clearly, actively listen, and maintain good eye contact.

Dress appropriately — preferably business casual. Do not wear t-shirts, graphic t-shirts, sweatshirts, leggings, or jeans. Dress and act the part.

Know the medium

If your interview is onsite, arrive at least 20 minutes early so you can find the building and a parking spot (if you are driving) well before your interview time.

If your interview is virtual, download and test the software the day before your interview. Make sure the link works, you know how to use it, and you have a stable internet connection.

Also, make sure you are in a professional setting. Avoid interviewing in your car, a crowded area, or your current workplace.

Do your research

Always always always research the company you are interviewing with — get to know them a little bit.

What projects have they worked on?
How long have they been around?
What is their mission and vision statement?
What are their core values?
What industry are they in?
Who are their biggest competitors?

Practice, practice, practice

After reviewing the sections below, practice your answers. You want to apply as much of your real-life experience and knowledge as possible.

If you have a friend or family member who would be willing to practice with you, take advantage of it! Have them ask you questions about yourself, your experience, and how you handle certain situations at work. Then, have them give you pointers where you can improve.

Prepare your elevator pitch for the “Tell me about yourself” question. This is a brief — one to two-minute — overview of your experience, what you do, why you do it, and what you hope to accomplish in a new role. For help creating an elevator pitch, click here.

QUESTIONS YOU MAY BE ASKED

Review these basic questions and practice your answers

Why do you want to work here?
What do you do in your current/most recent job?
How do you deal with an upset customer?
Tell us about a time that you went above and beyond for a customer.
What are you looking for in your next position? What values are important to you?
What qualities do you think make a good leader?
What do you know about our industry?

Review these behavioral questions and practice your answers

Describe a time when your boss was wrong. How did you handle the situation?
What has been the most rewarding experience of your career thus far?
Tell me about your best and worst experience. What made them that way?
Describe a time when you had to give a person difficult feedback.
What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses? How would this job challenge you in those?

QUESTIONS YOU CAN/SHOULD ASK

Prepare 3-5 open-ended questions for the interview

In your experience, what are some of the highlights of working here?
What are the next steps in this process, and when can I expect to hear from you? Or when can the recruiter expect to hear back?
What characteristics and abilities does a successful employee here generally have?
How did you accommodate your employees when COVID-19 emerged?
What, if any, opportunities are there for professional development and advancement?
What types of employee engagement strategies/activities do you partake in?
Out of all the company’s core values, which one is most important to you?
How long does it usually take for a new hire to feel fully trained and up to speed?

Nobody knows you better than you, and these tips will help you sell your experience, personality, and skills!