Ultimate Guide: How to Interview Prep Like a Pro

This post contains everything you need to know to interview prep.

Whether you're just starting out in the work force or been at it a few years already, interviews can be stressful.

The best way to deal with the stress and anxiety is to interview prep properly, so you're ready no matter what questions they ask. While daunting at first, interviewing is a skill like any other. The more you practice, the more ready you’ll be to answer any question, and less likely to be thrown off by a curveball.

It doesn't matter how much time you spend in interview prep, but how you spend it. You want to make sure you're spending your time and energy studying the right information, and highlighting skill and experiences that will stand out to your potential employer.

This guide will take you through the three stages of the interview process: interview prep, what to remember during your interview, and email templates for after the interview.

You’ll be sure to leave a lasting impression on the hiring team to secure that role! Don’t forget to download our Interview Playbook for additional interview prep practice questions, and tips to perfecting your answer!

What recruiters look for

Recruiters are the backbone of the talent in a company. They're the ones combing through applications and spotting candidates that will be a valuable addition to the team.

As someone looking for a job, it's your job to make them see why you're the right choice for the position.

According to Forbes, the top 10 skills recruiters are looking for in 2021 are:

• Growth mindset
• Continuous learning
• Critical thinking
• Survival skills
• Resiliency/curiosity
• Flexibility
• Dedication
• Coaching mindset
• Comfort with ambiguity
• Ability to thrive in virtual environments

If you're reading this and thinking, "how do I show that?" then you're in the right place.

How to Interview Prep

You’ve conquered the first step of getting an interview now you have to demonstrate why you’re a good fit for the job.

Research the company website and related news

You should have done this before applying to the position, but you’ll want to review it again in more detail once you get an interview.

It’s always important to do a thorough search of the company website to get a solid understanding of what kind of company is about, what product and/or services they offer, and what their values are. 

Some great places to check are the about us section, who we are, about our team etc. Take note of any recurring themes you see so you can frame your answers in a way that supports their vision. 

Do they keep referring back to their sustainability program? Good to know! Make sure you're aware of their initiatives, and how they are incorporating that into their activities.

Another great place to look is the News section on Google when you search the company. Read any recent events or articles written about them - you can always draw on that for answers to questions like “why are you interested in working here?”.

It’s an easy and natural way to show that you did your research about the job, and show that your values are aligned with the company.

Review your resume and cover letter 

You've probably sent out a bunch of applications with slight variations depending on the job. Make sure to review the application package you sent out before each interview to make sure you are up to date on the key points referenced.

You’ve said it's something you are good at or have accomplished, so you’ve got to be prepared to explain it! Nothing is worse than making a claim on your application, and getting caught with no experiences to support it when asked. 

Avoid this by combing through your resume and cover letter, and cross referencing it with the experiences in your Interview Playbook to make sure you have an example for everything you mention.

If you said you've implemented lots of projects, practice explaining them so they're clear for the interviewer to understand!

Focus on transferable skills

I've written an entire post on transferable skills, which are the backbone of breaking into a new industry and showcasing your versatility. These are skills that you learned in one industry or position that can be used in a variety of others.

This is particularly important if you’re looking to get into a new industry, or are just starting out in your career and don’t have much relevant experience (*ahem* new grads).

Make sure to always tie it back to the job you’re applying for!

Make a Cheat Sheet

We’re in the age of virtual interviews! While this brings its own set of challenges, if you need to, write down key words to remember on your computer or sticky note. This way you have something to quickly glance at if you’re blanking on an answer.

During the Interview

Think before you speak

Interviews can be stressful. It's easy to get overwhelmed if you’re nervous, but try not to give into the temptation to rush your answers.

Take a breath to process the question, then answer. It’s always better to wait an extra moment and put together a well thought out sentence than jump into it right away and risk not addressing the question.

Be concise 

Interviewers take notes of your answers, and it’s really hard to do this when candidates go in circles regurgitating the same point, or jump all over the place when answering a question. 

 For example, if you’re asked to describe a time that you had a conflict with a coworker:

• Explain the specific situation - what was the conflict?
• The actions you took to come to a solution
• What was the result of your actions?
• What you learned from it/key takeaways

This gives the interviewer a chance to note what your main points are, then listen to your answer without trying to decipher and summarize what you said.

Ask questions at the end

Always be prepared with a few questions to ask at the end of the interview. This is a really great opportunity to stand out from other candidates. A well thought out question goes a long way to making an impression, and lets you show off how interested you are in the role.

A good rule of thumb is to prepare 2-3 before the interview, so in case one of them is answered during your conversation you still have something to ask!

Here are some sample questions to ask:

• When can I expect to hear back from you regarding this position?
• What is your favourite part of working for [insert company]?
• What qualities or traits have previous successful candidates had in this role?

Try to tailor your questions about the specific role you're applying for, but the questions above can be used if you're struggling to come up with something.

Have a way to contact them

Whether it’s through email or LinkedIn, make sure you have a way to reach them before wrapping up the interview.

If you have previously communicated with them via email you can use that, but sometimes the person setting up the interview is not the person who interviewed you. Don’t get stuck without a way to contact them!

After the Interview

Say thank you

Contact them to say thank you! Not everybody does this and it’s another great way to show your interest and stand out from other candidates. 

Here’s a short template you can use:

Short and sweet! 

Follow up

A great question to ask at the end of an interview is "when can I expect to hear back from you?".

Not only is it the question that's eating away at you, but it also lets you know when you can reasonably follow up with them about the position.

If they mentioned you would hear back by a certain day, if it's past, don't be afraid to send a follow up email mentioning you are looking forward to hearing about the position.

Here's a template you can use:

Dear [their name],

I hope you are doing well!

I just wanted to follow up on my interview on [insert date here] for the position of [insert position name].

Thank you for your consideration, and I look forward to hearing back from you.

All the best,

[your name]

Just a gentle nudge, and shows that you're truly interested in the role.

Wrapping things up

As you can see from this breakdown of the process, interview prep is key to succeeding. If you feel confident and prepared going into it you’ll be able to think clearly and answer the questions the best you can. 

I always remind myself that if you're really the right fit for the job and have the experience to back it up, they will be able to see it.

Don't stress too much about perfecting or memorizing your answers. They are asking you about things you've actually done and lived through - you know them!

The key is remembering the events and situations that display your experience, which is why a tool like the Interview Playbook is great.

Track your experiences as they happen so you'll have the situations to form your answers ready when the time comes for your next interview.

If you haven't gotten it yet, high the button below to download yours!

Be ready for your next interview

The Interview Playbook is an organized way to track your experiences to help you form answers to interview questions.

Also included: practice questions, and questions to ask at the end of your interview!

DOWNLOAD NOW

So remember: 

1. Research the company website and related news
2. Review your resume and cover letter 
3. Focus on transferable skills
4. Make a Cheat Sheet
5. Think before you speak
6. Be concise 
7. Ask questions at the end
8. Have a way to contact them
9. Say thank you
10. Follow up

How do you go about interview prep? Have you had success with these strategies?