JOB INTERVIEWS

• Job interviews are nerve-wracking. It doesn’t matter if you’ve done one or 15 —

they rarely get easier.
• One survey found that 93% of Americans experienced anxiety from job
interviews. And within that survey, 41% said what made them most nervous was
being unable to answer a difficult question.
• But we can prepare for our job interviews, which should limit our job interview
nerves.
• Interview preparation will help you become more comfortable and knowledgeable
during the hiring process. You can confidently answer common interview
questions rather than fumbling or trying to wing them. Of course, it takes time and
dedication to know how to prepare for an interview, but that’s why we’re here.
• Strong interviewing skills don’t happen overnight. We’ll explain the best ways to
prepare for an interview by making your first impression count and giving yourself
plenty of prep time beforehand. Let’s start at the beginning and discuss the first
step to wow your potential employer.

The first step on your job search journey

• You know how to prepare for things. When you’re going for a walk and you
notice some dark clouds, you bring an umbrella. It’s a good habit, so why not
practice something similar in interviews?
• Whether you’re changing jobs or trying to do some career planning, interview
prep is a key part of your journey. It helps take out some nerves and all ows
you to complete your interview knowing you put in the work. And you won’t
accomplish your career aspirations without acing a few interviews, so today’s
effort will pay off in the future.
• Your interview preparation will include:

1. Gaining as much knowledge of the company as possible. Try

looking on the company website, check their social media, or do your
best to network. When you take the time to prepare, you’re filling your
brain with tips and skills that’ll help you during the whole interview
process.
Even knowing about the company culture will give you a clue as to how
you’d fit in and contribute.
2. Knowing the details of the role you’re applying for. If the hiring
manager asks a question like why you want to work there, you’ll be
prepared to include details about the company and speak confidently in
your answer. You’ll have insight into what problem-solving questions
you might be asked or how your skills will impact the team.
3. Reviewing your experience and strengths and weaknesses. Any
interview will probably include a scenario question where you can draw
on previous jobs to explain what you’d do and why it’d be effective. Are
 you responsible for managing a high volume of tasks on short
deadlines? What helps you succeed at that? Make sure you know so
you’re ready to share.

• Interview preparation boosts your chances of succeeding in your interview

and ultimately landing the job. But let’s dive in to explain what specific act ion
to take to prepare.

15 tips to successfully prepare for an interview

• Interview prep stretches far beyond just researching the company. Some
preparation tips don’t have to do with the job itself and instead focus on your
mind and body. Others are practical and help you knock on the right door
when the time comes.
• You can do a lot to prepare for an interview, so we’ve compiled a list of 15
interview preparation tips for you to read:

1. Dedicate time to craft your resume: Your potential employer doesn’t want to see
typos or grammatical errors in your resume. Make your resume stand out and ensure
it’s clean and organized.

2. Practice some relaxation techniques: Calm yourself down before your interview
so you have a clear mind. Studies have found that envisioning success and shifting
your focus to something productive helps ease interview nerves.

3. Do some mock interviews: A mock interview with friends or family will help you
slip into the zone. You can practice discussing your work experience and career goals
professionally and concisely.

4. Have a positive attitude: The hiring manager isn’t looking to fail you. Enter your
interview with a positive mindset, and trust the hard work you’ve put in before to
prepare. Your positivity might be infectious and help create a strong first impression.

5. Plan your route accordingly: The last thing you want to be is late. Think about
how you’ll travel to arrive promptly for your interview time. If it’s a remote interview,
make sure you’ve updated your video conferencing software and are in the meeting
a few minutes early.

6. Have confident body language: Body language is integral to nonverbal

communication. Make sure you have a firm handshake, make eye contact, sit up
straight, and don’t fidget.

7. Make a checklist of things you need: If you need to bring a reference list
or portfolio, make sure they’re ready to go and polished upon submitting your
application. It’s also a good idea to bring copies of your resume in case anyone wants
to read it and for your own reference.
8. Rest yourself the night before: Getting a proper amount of sleep the night before
will help you wake up feeling energized. Take some time to relax the night before,
and make time for it.

9. Write a list of your strengths: If you find it difficult to talk about yourself, prepare
a list of things you’re proud of ahead of time. Write down your skill sets,
accomplishments, or certifications so you don’t draw a blank at the moment.

10. Plan your outfit the night before: On the morning of your interview, you don’t
want to frantically rummage through your closet looking for the best outfit. Think of
what you’d like to wear ahead of time and make sure it’s clean and ready to go.

11. Turn off your electronics: Silence any alarms or notifications you have that
might go off during your interview. You don’t want any interruptions or things that
might interrupt your focus.

12. Prepare a list of questions: After you’ve answered all the questions you’ve been
asked, it’s your turn to ask the hiring manager some questions. This is your
opportunity to talk to your potential employer about salary expectations or learn more
about the job itself. It also makes you seem more interested in the company.

13. Be assertive and polite: Practice ahead of time how you’ll be polite but assertive
when presenting yourself. Rather than being passive and hiding away, practice how
you’ll be bold and confident.

14. Think hard about your word choice: Recruiters won’t be wowed if you use
generic words they’ve heard hundreds of times before. Think of descriptive action
verbs to help you stand out and make an impression.

15. Sharpen your listening skills: Listening carefully to each question will help you
answer exactly how the hiring manager wants. Practice slowing things down and not
rushing yourself with your answer as you listen to what people say. Use the words
from their question when you’re formulating your answer.

The 8 most common interview questions

• Some interview questions find their way into every interview. They’re common
and allow the recruiter to better understand you and your abilities. But you
won’t find the answers to these questions in the job description or company
website (which is yet another reason why preparation is key).
• When you have an idea of what the recruiter might ask, it gives insight into how
you might prepare. Even if they don’t ask these specific questions, you’ll be
ready for ones that draw on similar experiences and knowledge.
• Here’s a list of questions that the recruiter might ask you during your interview:

1. Why do you want to work here?

 2. Can you tell me about yourself?
3. Where do you see yourself in five years?
4. Can you tell me about a time when you encountered a challenge and how
you overcame it?
5. Why are you looking for a new job?
6. What are your biggest strengths and weaknesses?
7. Can you give me an example of when you made a mistake and what you did
to fix it?
8. What are two examples of how your previous work experience will help you
do well in this job?

First impressions matter: Interview attire and etiquette

• It’s time for you to show the hiring manager what you have to offer a nd who
you are. It’s why you’ve taken the time to learn how to prepare for an interview,
and it starts with a great first impression.
• A very important aspect of that is attire. Make sure that you dress for the job
you’re interviewing for. If the company has a dress code, like business attire,
lean into that. But your interview outfit should make you feel comfortable,
confident, and authentic. It should reflect you and your identity.
• And don’t forget interview etiquette, either. Remember to make eye contact,
pay attention, and watch your body language. Take a breath before you begin
answering, and listen to what the hiring manager has to say. Feel free to follow
up after your interview by sending a thank you note or email.
• But most importantly, remember to bring your Whole Self to the interview. You
have thoughtful ideas and valuable skills to contribute, so highlight them. As
you prepare for your interview, don’t forget to be yourself.

11 INTERVIEW TIPS TO BOOST YOUR CONFIDENCE

• A job interview could be the gateway to a new career path. That might mean
working at your dream company, getting a more challenging role, or scoring a
well-paying job that helps you reach financial goals.
• With those stakes, your pre-interview nerves aren’t just normal. They’re
justified.
• And while the nerves may give you an adrenaline boost that keeps you on your
toes, they can also keep you up the night before or make you freeze in the face
of a tough question.
• Preparing well beforehand can grow your morale and set you up for success.
The better you feel on the day of an interview, the more likely you’ll ace every
question, manage your stress, and act with confidence.
 • These interview tips will help you prepare accordingly and make a great first
impression. You’ll leave the meeting feeling proud of your performance,
whether you land the job or not.

Before the big day: 4 interview preparation tips

Excellent interview skills don’t always come naturally. Developing confidence, stress
management skills, and the ability to think outside of the box start with practice
and solid preparation. Here’s how to equip yourself with the right skills and
knowledge to crush your interview before it even starts:

1. Do your homework

• Learn everything you can about the organization and role before the interview.
Spend time on the company’s website studying its mission, vision, and
purpose, and familiarize yourself with the job description to understand what
the ideal candidate can do. You can’t explain why you’re right for the job
posting without that context.
• As you research these points, consider how your skills and qualities align. What
about your personal vision supports the company’s? What skills could you
bring to the organization’s projects? And how does your work experience match
the role? Forming these connections will deepen your knowledge and maybe
even your interest in the job. It also prepares you for questions about your core
values and skills.

2. Practice

• It may feel silly to talk to yourself in the mirror or hold a fake interview with a
family member, but it’s worth it to prepare well and know how you behave on
the spot. Use common interview questions to drill yourself and answer as
genuinely and seriously as possible. You can even ask your interview partner
to ask questions you don’t know beforehand. At this stage in the prep process,
read up on the STAR method, which will help you craft compelling responses
to “Tell me about a time” questions.
• If your first mock interview is shaky, that’s okay. To level up your practice,
consider working with a coach. Interview coaching can provide expert
constructive feedback that a mirror or a loved one can’t.

3. Prepare your look

• The things you wear to an interview might seem like an afterthought. But
according to one survey, 75% of recruiters have interviewed a candidate in
clothing that was too casual.
• The goal is to dress for the job you’re applying for, as doing so will show the
recruiter that you’re professional and understand the company culture. If
 you’re applying for a finance job on Wall Street, then you might want to wear
a perfectly tailored suit. But if you’re interviewing at a tech start-up,
smart business casual could be a good fit. Try researching the company’s
environment and dress code first to get a feel for its expectations.
• Whatever you decide to wear to your interview, make sure it represents your
true self and what you might actually wear on the job. If you love to wear
bright colors, try a colorful blazer. If you dislike skirts, wear trousers. Being
professional doesn’t mean completely hiding who you are.

4. Consider timing

• One of the most common and best interview tips out there is to make sure you
aren’t late. If attending a live interview, study your transit route and add in extra
time for potential traffic or delays. You can even travel there a few days
beforehand to check how long it takes you.
• Even if you’re taking the session via a virtual interview in the comfort of your
home, set an extra alarm the morning of. Lay out your outfit the night before
and ensure any materials you need for the interview (like copies of your
resume) are right where you need them. You don’t want to scramble for
something at the last minute.

During: 3 interview tips for the moment of

• Once a work interview starts, it’s easy to get lost in the moment, draw a
blank, and forget to pay attention to what you’re saying. Take a breath and
check in with yourself throughout the process. Ensure you’re making a good
impression with the following in-the-moment job interview tips:

1. Be honest

• According to psychologist Ron Friedman, 81% of people lie during job

interviews. But stretching the truth is never a good way to gauge whether a
position is the right match for you. The more honest you are in your responses,
the more likely you’ll land a role that’s a good fit. If you lie and say you’re
familiar with Agile management when you aren’t, you could end up floundering
on the job.
• Just remember that being honest doesn’t equate to being negative. If the
interviewer asks about your weaknesses or a challenging professional
situation from the past, be forthcoming, but put a positive spin on your
responses. Demonstrate how you turned a problem into a solution and worked
to improve your skills, not the mistakes made in the process.
2. Ask questions

• One of the most common interview mistakes is to end the interview early.
Saying that you have no questions when the conversation ends can imply a
lack of investment or curiosity. Even if you’re short on time, posing a few
extra questions shows you’ve prepared accordingly and are actively trying to
understand whether this role is a good fit.
• Ask the hiring manager about a company project you’d read about in your
research, the next steps in the hiring process, or the organization’s culture.
Here are some example questions that apply to almost any role:

1. What does a typical day-to-day schedule look like?

2. What’s your favorite part of working here?
3. What opportunities are there for career development in this position?
4. If given the job, what would you expect me to accomplish in the first 90 days?
5. Can I answer any other questions to guide your decision?

3. Take a breath

• You might know you’re nervous, but the recruiter doesn’t have to. Sit up
straight, make eye contact, and use approachable body language.
Practice mindful breathing and try not to talk too fast when you’re answering
questions. It can help to approach the interview as a conversation rather than
a make-or-break meeting.
• While you should show self-assurance, remember that confidence doesn’t
mean arrogance. Speak honestly about why you think you’re the right person
for the job, backing up every claim with anecdotes and nods to your abilities.
Acting like you already have the job in the bag can be off-putting for a
recruiter.

After: 4 tips on the art of following up

• Not all tips for interviews are about the interview itself. The process isn’t over
after the session ends. Afterward, you can continue expressing interest and
making an excellent impression. Here’s a post-interview guide to keeping
your application top-of-mind with a recruiter:

1. Say thank you

• In one survey from TopResume, 68% percent of recruiters said showing

appreciation positively impacts your candidacy, so send a thank you note after
your interview. In a quick email, thank the hiring manager for their time, cite a
brief anecdote about what you enjoyed in the meeting, and reaffirm your
interest.
 • Keep the message to a few sentences to avoid overwhelming the recruiter with
too much information. The goal is to say “Thank you,” not explain again why
you’re the right person for the job. And if they asked you for additional materials
during the interview, like a portfolio, be sure to attach them here.

2. Follow up

• Asking about the hiring timeline during your interview lets you know when to
expect a response, and it helps you structure your follow-up cadence. If you
know the hiring manager will make a decision in two weeks and don’t hear back
in this period, you have the grounds to send them an email about it.
• The lack of contact doesn’t necessarily mean you won’t be getting a job offer.
The company could be taking longer than normal to decide, and sending
another email shows the hiring team that the job still interests you. Like the
thank you note, keep your follow-up email short and sweet, saying that you’re
looking forward to hearing back and remain enthusiastic about the position.

3. Keep looking for new work

• No matter how well the interview went, continue your job search while waiting
for an answer. If you don’t feel comfortable sending your resume to other
organizations, at least research other options in case the current one falls
through.
• Looking for other opportunities can take the edge off because it’s a reminder
that other interesting, rewarding roles exist. Having a clear route to finding
another position also lessens the blow if you don’t get the job. And since you
now know how to research a company and practice for an interview, you know
what the upcoming process will look like.

4. Be careful what you post

• During the interview process, all eyes are on you. A recruiter wants to ensure
you’re a good cultural fit for the organization, so they may check out your social
media accounts like Facebook or LinkedIn. Be sure that your image on these
platforms represents your values, and when in doubt, set them to “private” so
they don’t influence a hiring manager’s decision.

Use your interview to stand out

• It’s normal to feel anxious about the unknown when you start a new interview
process. But instead of giving in to the nerves and down-talking yourself into
thinking you’ll interview poorly, use that adrenaline to fuel winning prep,
delivery, and follow-up.
• Researching interview tips beforehand can give you the insight you need to
land the job. Even if you know your skills inside and out and have stayed up
 on your dream company’s progress for years, you can still up your game by
preparing answers, looking sharp for your interview, and learning how to be
yourself professionally.

10 COMMON JOB INTERVIEW QUESTIONS AND POSSIBLE

ANSWERS

1. Could you tell me about yourself and describe your background in brief?

• I come from a small town, where opportunities were limited. Since good schools
were a rarity, I started using online learning to stay up to date with the best. That’s
where I learned to code and then I went on to get my certification as a computer
programmer. After I got my first job as a front-end coder, I continued to invest time
in mastering both front- and back-end languages, tools, and frameworks.

2. How did you hear about this position?

• I learned about the position through LinkedIn as I’ve been following your
company’s page for a while now. I’m really passionate about the work you’re doing
in X, Y, and Z areas, so I was excited to apply. The required skills match well with
the skills I have, and it seems like a great opportunity for me to contribute to your
mission, as well as a great next move for my career.

3. What type of work environment do you prefer?

• That sounds great to me. I like fast-paced work environments because they make
me feel like I’m always learning and growing, but I really thrive when I’m
collaborating with team members and helping people reach a collective goal as
opposed to competing. My last internship was at an organization with a similar
culture, and I really enjoyed that balance.

4. How do you deal with pressure or stressful situations?

• I realize stressful situation are always going to come up, and I definitely have had
to learn how to navigate them throughout my career. I think I get better at it with
every new experience. While working on a new product launch at my last company,
for example, things were not going according to plan with my team. Instead of
pointing fingers, my first reaction was to take a step back and figure out some
strategies around how we could we solve the problem at hand. Previously, I may
have defaulted to panicking in that situation, so being calm and collected was
definitely a step forward and helped me approach the situation with more clarity.
5. Do you prefer working independently or on a team?

• I enjoy a blend of the two. I like having a team to strategize with, get diverse
opinions from, and reach out to for feedback. But I am also comfortable taking on
assignments that require me to work independently. I find I do some of my best
work when I can focus alone in a quiet space, but I really value collaborating with
my teammates to come up with the best ideas.

6. When you’re balancing multiple projects, how do

• I’m used to juggling projects at my current job where I’m often moving between
coding one software program to another. I use the timeboxing technique to make
sure they’re all on track, allocating time on my calendar for certain tasks. I’ve
found it really helps me prioritize what needs to get done first, and it holds me
accountable for the more repetitive day-to-day tasks I’m responsible for.

7. What did you do in the last year to improve your knowledge?

• Like everyone else, I, too, gained some time last year from not having to travel
two hours a day to and from work. I decided to spend my time on things I love.
So I got back to learning how to play the guitar and journaling. I feel it brought me
closer to myself and has been really great for my mental health and productivity.

8. What are your salary expectations?

• Based on my skills and experience and on the current industry rates, I’m looking
at a salary around $____” (then fill in with your desired salary range and
rationale).

9. Are you applying for other jobs?

• I’ve applied to a couple of other firms, but this role is really the one I’m most
excited about right now because it fits with my qualifications, education, interests
and skills.

10. From your resume it seems you took a gap year. Would you like to tell us why
that was?

• During my last year of high school, I didn’t feel ready to choose my educational
path, so I took a wilderness course for a few months to sort out my life goals. It
may seem a little random, but the time I spent actually helped my develop so
many new skills — in the areas of leadership, communication, (etc…). During
that time, I realized that I wanted to earn a degree in (state your degree) to align
with my passion (say what that is).