Being selected for an interview is a pivotal step in the job search process. A well-formatted resume can get your foot in the door of a company, but an interview is what can secure a job offer. With the pressure of making a good first impression and showing you’re a great fit for the role, it’s important to prepare for your interview to feel confident in your abilities and answers.
Whether it’s your first or fiftieth interview, you should spend a few hours gathering and reviewing information throughout the days leading up to your meeting to ensure you’re at the top of your game. We recommend that you focus on these four areas to master your interview prep.
Research the Company
A great way to make yourself stand out from other candidates is to understand the organization you’re interviewing with. Check out the organization’s website and social media channels, search the company on Google, and look up employee reviews on sites like Glassdoor. By knowing the basics of a company, you can tailor your answers to show genuine interest in the role, allowing you to better engage with the interviewer. Don’t know where to get started? Here’s what you should know:
- Company Overview: Find out where the company is headquartered and which office location you will be working at, and understand the organization's history, mission statement, and values.
- Products and Services: Know what essential products and services the company offers.
- Industry and Competitors: Figure out what industry the company operates in and who its top competitors are.
- Current Events and News: Check for recent news articles or press releases about what’s happening at the company.
- Leadership: Identify the key leaders and executives of the organization and the personnel you might interact with.
- Company Culture: Learn about the work environment and look up employee reviews on Glassdoor.
Review the Job Description and Your Resume
A crucial aspect of an interview is your ability to align the job description's requirements and responsibilities with relevant experiences and skills from your resume. Understanding the role allows you to customize your talking points, making your responses more compelling and relevant to the interviewer.
When looking at your resume, is there anything a company would perceive as a risk, such as a lack of experience or a skills gap? If your answer is yes, prepare to address these potential concerns. By keeping your explanations positive and concise and redirecting to your strengths, you will show the interviewer your proactive mindset and commitment to contributing to the organization.
Here’s a simple 3-step formula for addressing a potential concern on your resume.
- Start with a positive statement
- State a fact you want to address
- End with enthusiasm
For example, if you want to address your shorter tenure at previous employers during your interview, here’s how to formulate a statement concisely.
“I’ve built out my skillsets and gained a lot of valuable experience in my previous roles. I know my resume shows a shorter tenure, but I’m ready to use my knowledge and make a difference long-term at my next opportunity.
Practice Answering Common Interview Questions
Have you heard the phrase “practice makes perfect”? This expression holds overly true when it comes to being comfortable and confident in your job interview. Practice answering common interview questions by yourself or setting up mock interviews with a friend, family member, or career mentor. Verbalizing your answers allows you to refine your responses, ensuring they are clear and concise.
When you are nervous, it can be hard not to ramble. Delivering your answer to each question with enough specifics to satisfy what the interviewer is looking for without going into extensive details is important to keep in mind. Think of your answers like a highlight reel; share the best and most important information. If the interviewer wants more details about something, they’ll ask! For most answers, a common practice is to keep your responses to 60-90 seconds. Below are common interview questions you should prepare to answer:
- Tell me about yourself.
- Why are you looking for a new job?
- What do you know about the company?
- What are your strengths and weaknesses?
- Why should we hire you?
Develop Questions to Ask the Interviewer
As much as the interview is about you, it’s also your chance to interview the company. Beyond the job description and research you’ve done, what else do you want to know before you feel confident in accepting a job offer? It’s common practice for there to be time built into the end of an interview for candidates to ask questions. To be best prepared, have a list of 3-5 questions ready to ask the interviewer. Depending on what’s important to you, here are a few areas and questions to consider:
Role and Responsibilities
- What are the most immediate projects that I would take on?
- What are the biggest challenges that I might face in this position?
- Can you tell me more about the team I would be working with?
Growth and Development
- How do you typically onboard employees?
- What opportunities for professional development and growth are available?
- How does the company support career advancement?
Culture and Values
- How would you describe the company culture?
- What are the company's core values?
- How does the company support work-life balance?
Future and Stability
- What are the company's long-term goals?
- How has the company grown or changed in recent years?
- What are the biggest challenges the company is currently facing?
Ask for Feedback & Next Steps
- What qualities are most important for this role, and how do I measure up in those areas?
- Are there any skills or experiences you think I should further develop?
- Can you tell me about the next steps in the hiring process?
- What is your timeline for making a hiring decision?
Applying for a position doesn’t always guarantee you an interview. Once you do have an interview secured, being well-prepared will make a significant difference in your chances of successfully landing the job. Preparation not only gives you confidence, but it also makes you stand out amongst the other applicants and shows your potential employer you’re serious about the opportunity.
Our employment experts at Palmer Group have exceptional marketplace knowledge and a passion for helping others. If you need support preparing for an upcoming interview or professional feedback regarding your job search, contact us to access our free job seeker services.