Preparing for your Interview

Preparing for your interview:

Interviews are stressful at the best of times. Whether it’s your first job or you’ve had a long and varied career, interviews can always catch you out if you aren’t fully prepared. So, to get you ready or refresh your skills, here are a few simple pointers to ensure you make a great impression and increase your chances of success.

Learn about the company's mission, values, culture, products, and recent news. This shows your interest and helps you tailor your answers.

Know the Job Description

Study the job description to understand the skills and experience required. Match your qualifications with the job requirements.

Get a feel for their brand, what they stand for and what they are trying to achieve.

Search LinkedIn to learn about their senior leaders.

Discover what their next steps are as a business.  What are their growth plans?

Practice Common Interview Questions

Behavioral Questions: Prepare for common behavioral questions like "Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge." Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.



Technical Questions: If the role requires specific technical skills, review those areas and practice related questions.

Prepare Your Own Questions

Ask Insightful Questions: Prepare questions that show your interest in the role and company, such as "What does success look like in this position?" or "How do you see the company evolving in the next few years?"

Be Ready to Discuss: Be familiar with everything on your resume. Highlight specific achievements, experiences, and skills that are relevant to the role.

Quantify Your Successes: Where possible, quantify your accomplishments with numbers or percentages to show the impact of your work.

Dress Appropriately

Match the Company Culture: Dress in a way that aligns with the company's culture. When in doubt, it's better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed.

Use Friends or Tools: Conduct mock interviews with a friend or use online tools. This helps you get comfortable with the format and receive feedback on your answers and body language.

Plan the Logistics

Know the Time and Place: If it's an in-person interview, plan your route and aim to arrive 10-15 minutes early. For virtual interviews, test your technology (camera, microphone, internet connection) beforehand.

Bring Necessary Documents: Bring multiple copies of your resume, a list of references, and any other required documents.



Stay Calm and Confident

Manage Your Anxiety:  Practice deep breathing or other relaxation techniques to stay calm. Remember, the interview is as much about you assessing the company as it is about them assessing you.
Be Yourself:  Authenticity goes a long way. Be honest and let your personality shine through.  Don’t overthink your preparation.

Follow Up After the Interview

Send a Thank-You Email: Within 24 hours, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. Mention something specific from the interview to reinforce your interest.
By following these tips, you'll be well-prepared and more confident going into your interview. Good luck!

Dear {Interviewer's Name},

I wanted to thank you for taking the time to speak with me yesterday about the {Position} role at {Company}. I appreciate the opportunity to learn more about the position and to share my qualifications with you.

I enjoyed learning about the company's mission and the exciting projects that are in the works. I was particularly impressed by {Specific Thing Mentioned During Interview}.

Please let me know if you need any additional information from me. I am still very interested in the position and would welcome the opportunity to speak with you further.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
{Your Name}
 

Example 2: Follow-Up After an In-Person Interview

Dear {Interviewer's Name},

I wanted to follow up and thank you for the opportunity to interview for the {Position} role at {Company} on {Date}. I enjoyed learning more about the position and the team, and I am excited about the possibility of joining {Company}.

I appreciated the chance to discuss my qualifications and experience with you, and I hope that I was able to provide you with a better sense of how I could contribute to the team.

Please let me know if there is any additional information I can provide, or if there are any questions you have for me. I look forward to hearing from you and hope to have the opportunity to move forward with the hiring process.

Thank you again for your time and consideration.

Best regards,
{Your Name}