Ways to Prepare for an Interview

Interviewing can be stressful, but with the right preparation you’ll breeze through the interview and leave a great impression. Follow these simple steps to prepare for your next interview:

 Review the Job Description

This one seems obvious, and it should be, but many people fail to complete this step. Asking thoughtful questions about the role during the interview is great, but asking questions that were fully addressed in the job listing can be a red flag. Not reviewing the job listing also prevents you from being able to properly speak to how your skills fit the duties of the position.

 If you are unclear about any aspects of the role or the job posting, the interview is a great time to ask for clarification. You are interviewing the company just as they are interviewing you, so take notes as you review the job posting and draft relevant questions. This will help you get the most out of the interview and understand whether the role is a good fit for your interests.

Research the Company

 Another great way to develop meaningful questions to ask at the interview is to research the company. At minimum, you should do a thorough review of the company’s website. You may also benefit from reviewing company social media accounts and relevant news pieces. Pay attention to the company’s product or service, culture, and mission.

Practice Answers to Common Interview Questions

 Calm your interview nerves by preparing answers for common interview questions. While some companies get creative with their questioning, the majority stick to time-honored classics that you can practice from home. Check out this comprehensive list of interview questions to get ideas on how to prepare. You can also look at prior interviewee experiences on Glassdoor to learn what questions to expect.

Enthusiasm goes a long way, so be sure to formulate a clear idea of what interests you about the role and the company. Recruiters and Hiring Managers want to see that you are excited about the opportunity.

Plan Ahead

Prepare everything you need for the interview ahead of time. Pick out an outfit that is professional and matches the level of formality expected for the role and the culture of the interviewing company.

Be sure that you look up the directions and parking options the day prior so that you can plan to leave at an early enough time to allow for the drive, potential traffic delays, and to find parking.

 If it’s a virtual interview, do a test of the online meeting platform, your microphone, and webcam. The last thing you need right before an interview is a necessary software update or technical problem.

Be Ready to Follow Up

The job interview is not the final step of the process. After the interview, you should send a thank you note to the interviewer and plan to follow up if you don’t hear back within the stated time frame.

 Prepare to follow up by drafting a thank you letter thanking the interviewer for their time and restating your interest in the position. After the interview, you can reopen this draft and add some specific notes or talking points from the interview to personalize it. Try to do this right after the interview while everything is fresh in your mind.

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