Interview Preparation: Key Strategies and Tips

Introduction

• Presenter: Jen, a career coach with over 10 years of experience.
• Focus: Sharing advice on how to best prepare for interviews.
• Importance: Cover a small but impactful tip at the end.

Research Strategy

Big to Small Mindset

• Balanced Approach: Focus on both large concepts and small details.
  • Large Concepts: Company research.
  • Small Details: Job description, interviewers.
• Purpose: Articulate skills and experience, relate them to company's goals.

Conducting Research

• Company: Start broad.
  • Visit company website ("About Us," product/service offerings).
  • Align personal goals with company's mission and goals.
  • Consider multiple perspectives (e.g., employee reviews on Indeed).
• Job Description:
  • Understand responsibilities and requirements.
  • Prepare for skill-qualification questions.
  • Think of relevant past work examples.
• Interviewer:
  • Identify interviewer's professional journey and commonalities.
  • Use professional sources for research (company website, LinkedIn).
  • Create rapport by mentioning similarities during the interview.

Practicing Interview Questions

• Common Questions:
  • "Tell me about yourself."
  • Behavioral questions: Use STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
  • "What are your greatest strengths?"
  • "Why do you want to work for this company?"
• High-Pressure Questions:
  • Address gaps in resume, reasons for leaving a job, salary expectations.
  • Use pauses effectively to gather thoughts before answering.

Asking Questions

• Prepare Questions to Ask Interviewer:
  • "What does a typical day look like in this role?"
  • "How is performance measured?"
• Purpose: Clarify fit for company/role, show interest, and professional curiosity.

Presentation and Conduct

• Appearance:
  • Choose attire based on company research (business casual).
• Punctuality:
  • Plan for technical checks (video interview) or arrive early (on-site).
• Materials:
  • Bring copies of resume, pen, and notebook.

Mock Interviews

• Purpose: Practice responses, get feedback.
• Who: Career coaches, industry professionals, or anyone willing to help.
• Environment: Mimic actual interview setting (attire, setting).
• Recording: Review performance for self-evaluation.

Bonus Tip: Conveying Confidence

• Confidence: Focus on body language and tone.
• Mindset: Evaluate employers as they evaluate you.
• Preparation: Leads to confidence.

Recap

• Research the company, job description, and interviewers.
• Practice answers to common questions and prepare questions to ask.
• Consider presentation and conduct mock interviews.
• Convey confidence and be prepared.

Conclusion

• Encourage application of these strategies.
• Invitation to subscribe for more content and updates.