How to study for an interview in 8 steps
Most people understand that you can’t arrive at an interview without at least some preparation, but exactly what preparation is needed is less understood. Consider the following 8 steps on how to study for an interview:
1 - Research the job and the company.
To show the interviewer that you are prepared and serious about the position, do what you can to learn about the company before you sit down for your first interview (bonus points if you can do this before your phone call with a recruiter). Along with reading the company’s website, searching for any relevant news articles, and asking around your network to learn more about the business, study the job description to get a clear idea of what the role is about and what the company needs from this position.
Bonus tip: Check out the company’s social media presence. You may find out that they do casual Fridays or they’re heavily involved in a local charity. Understanding how the company is portrayed on social media can give you good insight into the company’s culture and the type of employees they want to hire.
2 - Match your qualifications to the role.
Take time to understand how your specific experience and education match what your potential employer is looking for in the new job. Doing this exercise can help you prepare to answer questions during the interview about how qualified you are and how you bring real experience to the table.
Bonus tip: If you’re missing any of the requirements for the job, don’t dismiss the job entirely. Most job descriptions are looking for a unicorn—someone who can do everything on the list—but recruiters and hiring managers know they likely can’t find that person. They’re hoping to get someone as close to the list as possible—so apply anyway and be prepared to talk about the areas where you can help and the areas where you may need someone else to fill in the gaps.
3 - Think about stories you can share.
It doesn’t matter what type of job you’re interviewing for, you need to be able to provide specific experiences and examples that showcase your skill set. Interviewers are notorious for asking questions like “Share about a time when…” and “Give me an example about how you…” to hear more about how you overcame a challenge, worked with someone difficult, solved a problem, reduced costs somewhere, met a deadline, etc. Prepare yourself ahead of time for these questions so you aren’t improvising during the interview.
Bonus tip: Gather all of the data-specific stories you can and review them before you go into your interview. The best case scenario for these questions is to give hard data. Need more help? Check out our article about how to use the STAR method to ace your interviews.
4 - Practice answers to common interview questions.
Review common interview questions and practice your answers—out loud by yourself or with a friend. Doing this can help you hear how you sound when you answer each question, recognize where you might go off topic, and give you ideas on how to keep your answer fresh and to the point.
Bonus tip: Need help figuring out what questions you might be asked? Check out some of our compiled questions here:
- Top 19 behavioral interview questions
- Common software engineering interview questions
- Common sales interview questions and answers
5 - Prepare thoughtful questions.
It might not seem obvious, but the questions you ask the interviewer can be just as important as the answers you give to their questions. Thoughtful questions show that you are seriously considering this role and you’re interested in learning as much as you can about the job and the company. In a way, you’re interviewing the company just as much as they are interviewing you. This is your opportunity to ask questions and make sure the role is a good fit.
Bonus tip: Need ideas on what to ask your interviewer? Check out our article: 10 questions you should ask the hiring manager in a job interview
6 - Practice addressing your weaknesses.
It’s not uncommon for a recruiter or a hiring manager to ask you about your weaknesses or areas where you aren’t as confident. Instead of coming to the interview unprepared for this question, anticipate it and be ready with an answer.
Bonus tip: Don’t try to make your answer a long-winded way to showcase an actual strength—no one appreciates this type of response. Instead, be honest and clear about areas where you might be lacking.
7 - Be aware of your body language.
It’s undeniably critical that you are self aware during the interview process. If you aren’t aware of your body language, nerves can come across as overconfidence, aloofness, and insincerity. Because of this, it’s imperative that you understand how you react to stressful situations and you practice better ways of expressing yourself to showcase your true intentions.
Bonus tip: Practice how you will greet the interviewer, how you answer each question, and how you’ll express excitement for the opportunity. Do this practice with a friend or a colleague who can give you constructive criticism and help you improve your interviewing skills. Be mindful about how often you cross your arms, your posture, eye contact, etc.
8 - Prepare the logistics.
The logistics of the interview have the potential to make or break the experience for the interviewer. If the interview is in person, plan your route to the interview beforehand so that you know exactly how long it will take to get there (and leave early enough to account for any delays). For a virtual interview, make sure your computer is charged and that you’re logged into the proper communication software ahead of time.
Bonus tip: Don’t forget to prepare your outfit—one that fits the culture of the business. If you can, ask someone you know at the company (or the recruiter) if you should show up dressed nicer than business casual. And don’t forget to bring a few copies of your resume to the interview in case the interviewer doesn’t have it with them and wants to review it while they speak with you.
Need more resources? Check out these links:
10 questions you should ask the hiring manager in a job interview
Common sales interview questions and answers
7 signs you will get the job after an interview
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