How to Prepare for a Job Interview

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You sent in an application and you landed an interview—nice work! Here comes the nerve-wracking part: heading into the job interview. With a little preparation, you can make a great first impression with your potential employer without a ton of extra stress.

Interview Help

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Background Knowledge

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  1. Take a look at the job posting and glance over the qualifications and the skills needed. Try to remember these during your interview so you can highlight how your job history and skills fit in with the job opening. [1]
    • For example, the job posting might say you need excellent time management skills and close attention to detail. When you get to the interview, you can talk about how you’ve used those skills in the past.
  2. Head over to the company website and learn a little more about what they do. Spend some time looking at their past projects, their mission statement, and their history so you can discuss these factors in your interview as needed. [2]
    • Referencing past projects or asking questions about future ones is a great way to show that you care about this job and the company.
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  3. If the company has a blog or a social media page, spend a few minutes scrolling through it to find out what their company is like a little more. They may talk about work-life balance, fun projects, or even employee accomplishments. [3]
    • If the company doesn’t have a blog or a social media page, that’s fine too. Just spend time looking through their website.
  4. Your interviewer will probably have a copy of your resumé in front of them when they start asking questions. Make sure you can talk about specific projects or job duties and how they relate to the job you’re applying for. [4]
    • You should pay special attention to your “skills” or “qualifications” section since that’s where you get to talk about why you’re a good fit for the job.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Common Interview Questions

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  1. It might sound silly, but holding a mock interview can be super helpful in the days before your real one. Ask your friend to sit down with you and ask some questions that your interviewer might ask. [5]
    • If a friend or a loved one isn’t available, look up some common interview questions and practice answering them in a mirror.
  2. If you were unemployed for any length of time, your interviewer may ask about it. Try to come up with some skills or qualities you gained during your time off to make up for the lack of job experience. For example: [6]
    • If you were caring for a sick loved one, you can talk about how it helped you gain perspective on the world.
    • If you were traveling, you can talk about how you experience diverse cultures and how you’d use those experiences in the workplace.
  3. During the interview, you might be asked about what you do well. Try to come up with 2 to 3 examples of skills you’ve used in the workplace that you could transfer to your new job. For example, you could say: [7]
    • “At my last job, I was in charge of our weekly team meetings. I used my skills as a leader and as a team player to make sure everyone felt involved and like they had a say in what was going on.”
    • “My previous role as a customer service rep taught me a lot about communication and the importance of attentive listening.”
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    Charbel Atala is a Talent Acquisition Strategist & Managing Partner at Talent Gurus, a game-changing retained search firm located in the heart of San Francisco, California. With a unique blend of over five years in talent acquisition and a solid 15-year background in corporate law, Charbel crafts performance-driven talent solutions that are tailored to each client's unique culture and needs.
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    Radiate authenticity and confidence. While relevant experience matters to recruiters, bringing genuine enthusiasm, self-confidence and a consistent personal brand to the process can be just as influential.

  4. Your interviewer might ask you what made you apply for the position that you did. You can talk about the company culture, the job position, or your educational background. Try something like: [8]
    • “When I saw the listing for an accountant at your company, I was intrigued. I heard about how well your company treats its employees, and I’m interested in the projects that you do.”
    • “My background is in biology, and I’ve always been interested in animals. When the position for a zookeeper opened up, I knew I had to jump on it.”
  5. This is another way you can talk about your strengths, but you can make them specific to the job description. Use real examples of things you did in previous workplaces to talk about why you’d be a good fit. [9]
    • You might say, “As a general contractor, I learned a lot about the inner workings of the construction field. Since I have so many years of experience, I know that I could run a construction team efficiently.”
    • Or, “When I was a waiter, I learned how to multitask and use my time wisely. I think that I can transfer those skills into a managerial position easily, especially since I know how to run the front of the house.”
  6. At the end of the interview, your interviewer will probably ask if you have any questions for them about the job or the company. You can use the company website and your background knowledge to ask a few questions like: [10]
    • What does a typical work day look like?
    • What are the most immediate projects that need to be addressed?
    • What are the biggest challenges that someone in this position would face?
    • Can you show me examples of projects I’d be working on?
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

The Day of the Interview

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  1. As a rule of thumb, you should dress up slightly more than you would on a typical workday. [11] Casual offices might only require business casual attire, while more professional ones may need fully professional clothing. [12]
    • It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.
    • You can learn about the dress code / typical attire by checking out pictures on the company’s website or social media pages.
  2. Showing up on time makes a good first impression, so try not to be late. Get to your interview 5 to 10 minutes beforehand so you don’t inconvenience the interviewer by showing up way too early. [13]
    • Make your travel arrangements well ahead of the day of the interview. Showing up on time can mean the difference between getting the job and not getting the job.
  3. Your interviewers will probably have your resumé printed out already, but it’s nice to show that you’re prepared. Bring a few copies of your resumé to share with your interviewers if they need one. [14]
    • You can also use one of the copies as a guide as you talk through your job experience and qualifications.
    • If you submitted work samples, you may want to bring a few copies of those as well.
  4. First impressions are key here. Grasp your interviewer’s hand firmly and tell them your name before you start.
    • If you have a couple interviewers, you don’t need to shake everyone’s hand. Just introduce yourself to the group.
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How Do You Ace an Interview?


Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    What outfit should I wear to an interview?
    Alyson Garrido, PCC
    Career Coach
    Alyson Garrido is an International Coach Federation accredited Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Facilitator, and Speaker. Using a strengths-based approach, she supports her clients with job search and career advancement. Alyson provides coaching for career direction, interview preparation, salary negotiation, and performance reviews as well as customized communication and leadership strategies. She is a Founding Partner of the Systemic Coach Academy of New Zealand.
    Alyson Garrido, PCC
    Career Coach
    Expert Answer
    Find out the dress code for the business and try to dress one level more professional. For example, if it's a casual office, aim for a business casual outfit.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.careereducation.columbia.edu/resources/things-do-during-and-after-your-interview
      2. ↑ https://www.careereducation.columbia.edu/resources/things-do-during-and-after-your-interview
      3. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-prepare-for-an-interview
      4. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-prepare-for-an-interview
      5. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/job-interview-tips-how-to-make-a-great-impression
      6. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-to-prepare-for-an-interview
      7. ↑ https://careerwise.minnstate.edu/jobs/interviewquestions.html
      8. ↑ https://www.careereducation.columbia.edu/resources/things-do-during-and-after-your-interview
      9. ↑ https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/interview-tips/how-to-prepare-for-an-interview
      1. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5298161/
      2. ↑ Alyson Garrido, PCC. Career Coach. Expert Interview. 24 January 2020.
      3. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5298161/
      4. ↑ https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/interviewing/how-early-should-you-arrive-for-job-interview
      5. ↑ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5298161/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To prepare for a job interview, research the company’s goals and plans to make yourself seem like a good long-term investment. Use your research to speak in-depth about the position you are applying for and the organization in general. Moreover, to express your active interest, think about questions to ask your interviewer, such as where they see the company heading. Finally, anticipate questions such as “What’s your biggest weakness” to make sure you have an authentic yet positive way to answer. If you want to learn more, such as how to dress for your interview or how to follow up, keep reading!

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