5 Interview Prep Tips

It goes without saying that it’s critical that you are prepared for your interview. It doesn’t matter if you have one interviewer or dozens. It’s important that you go in with a clear focus on that particular role and organization. If you are prepared, you will naturally perform better. Here are 5 tips that I have found most beneficial in doing just that.

Research the company:

It blows my mind how unprepared candidates are for this question. You should always come into an interview (phone or in-person) with at the very least a high-level understanding of what the organization does. I can’t tell you how many times I have asked the candidate what their understanding is of our organization, and they tell me they didn’t have time to research. That’s an automatic pass. Make sure you go into the interview with a solid “pitch-level” understanding.

Analyze the job description:

Gain a solid understanding of the “requirements” and “skill sets” that they are looking for. IT IS OKAY NOT TO HAVE ALL OF THE REQUIREMENTS. Often times candidates do not apply if they don’t hit 100% of the requirements. If you are 60%-70% there, be proud of that and show them you have the adaptability to learn the remaining 30%.

Prepare examples of your accomplishments:

You can piggy back this off of your job description research. Look at the responsibilities, then write down examples of how you have managed a situation or solved a problem as it relates to those specific responsibilities. People often refer to the STAR description for each situation.

  • Situation- the circumstances and context.
  • Task- the problem or the objective you were trying to achieve.
  • Action- what you did to accomplish the task successfully.
  • Result- the successful resolution of the situation.

Study the interviewer(s):

This is an x-factor that is commonly not discussed as interview prep. You should always know who you are interviewing with. Prior to your interview, do some research on the interview. Go to their LinkedIn profile and look at their past professional history and accomplishments. If you can show the interview you took some time to review their background, it will blow them away.

Think about your motivations:

You will likely be asked what drew you to the company or role. Make sure you have thought through what you enjoy doing and what’s important in your next role. A good interviewer will want to understand your intrinsic motivations, so be prepared to articulate them.