Effective interview preparation

Here’s a comprehensive 10-step guide to help you prepare effectively for your interview:

1. Research the company thoroughly

  • Understand the company: Study the company’s history, mission, values, products, and services. Review their website, recent news, and social media to understand their culture and latest developments.
  • Know their industry: Understand the industry the company operates in, including key competitors and market trends. This demonstrates your awareness of the larger business context.
  • Check financials (if relevant): For larger companies, look into their financial health, recent earnings, or growth plans, especially if you’re applying for roles tied to strategy or management.

2. Review the job description in detail

  • Understand key responsibilities / deliverables: Break down the job description and highlight the key responsibilities, deliverables and qualifications. Make sure you understand what’s expected and prepare examples of how your experience aligns with these tasks.
  • Prepare for specific requirements: If the job requires technical skills (e.g., software proficiency, certifications), ensure you’re familiar with them and can speak to your experience.

3. Prepare and tailor your responses to common questions

  • Common interview questions: Prepare answers to typical questions like “Tell me about yourself,” “Why do you want this job?” and “What are your strengths and weaknesses?”
  • Use STAR technique: For behavioural questions (e.g., “Tell me about a time you handled a challenging situation”), structure your responses using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to give clear, concise answers.
  • Focus on impact: Prepare examples of how you’ve made an impact in previous roles. Quantify your achievements when possible (e.g., “Achieved efficiency improvements of 22%”).

4. Research your interviewers (if possible)

  • Check LinkedIn profiles: If you know the names of your interviewers, check their LinkedIn profiles to learn more about their background, role at the company, and any shared connections.
  • Understand their role: This helps you tailor your conversation to their focus areas and responsibilities. For example, you might highlight strategic skills if you’re meeting with a manager, or technical skills for a subject matter expert.

5. Prepare smart questions to ask

  • About the role: Ask specific questions about the role and team dynamics, such as “What does success look like in this position?” or “What are the biggest challenges the team is facing?”
  • About the company: Show your interest in the company’s future by asking about growth plans or industry positioning, like “How is the company responding to changes in the industry?”
  • About culture: Ask about company culture and work environment, such as “How would you describe the company’s culture?” or “What’s the team’s approach to collaboration?”

6. Know your CV and application inside out

  • Be ready to discuss any point: Go through your CV and be prepared to discuss any role, project, or skill listed. Interviewers may ask for more detail or clarification on specific items.
  • Highlight achievements: Be ready to explain your key achievements and the value you’ve added in previous positions. Tailor these examples to align with the job you’re applying for.

7. Practice interviewing

  • Mock interviews: Conduct mock interviews with a friend, mentor, or career coach. This helps you practice answering questions confidently and concisely.
  • Record Yourself: If you don’t have a practice partner, record yourself answering questions to assess your tone, clarity, and body language.
  • Refine your responses: Focus on speaking clearly, maintaining eye contact, and refining answers that may sound too long or vague.

8. Prepare your outfit and logistics

  • Dress professionally: Plan a professional outfit that aligns with the company’s culture (formal for corporate roles, business casual for more relaxed environments).
  • Logistics: If the interview is in person, map out the location, timing, and transportation. Aim to arrive 10-15 minutes early. For virtual interviews, test your technology (camera, microphone, internet connection) and set up a quiet, professional-looking space.

9. Prepare your mindset and body language

  • Positive mindset: Before the interview, focus on being positive and confident. Practice deep breathing exercises or visualisation techniques to calm nerves.
  • Confident body language: During the interview, maintain good posture, make eye contact, and use open body language. This helps convey confidence and engagement.

10. Follow up with a thank you note

  • Post-interview thank you: After the interview, send a personalised thank-you email to each interviewer within 24 hours. Mention something specific from the conversation to reinforce your interest in the role.
  • Reiterate your fit: Briefly summarise why you’re a strong fit for the position and express your excitement about the opportunity.

 

By following these 10 steps, you’ll be well-prepared to enter your interview confidently, make a strong impression, and increase your chances of success.