How to Prep For Your Next Job Interview
You’ve applied for a role and successfully landed an interview! Congratulations on advancing to the next step in the job application process.
Whether you are embarking on a new phase or seeking out your first-ever role, the interview with a potential employer can be one of the most critical meetings in landing your dream job. The job interview is your chance to showcase why you are the best candidate for the job. MWP has some tips to help you do just that and ace your next interview.
Research the Company and Review the Job Posting
Before the interview, take some time to go over the job posting again and learn more about the company. By doing this, you can better understand the company’s culture and how uniquely suited you are to the advertised position.
Go through the company’s website, especially the press section, to learn about recent accomplishments
Find their social media pages, especially LinkedIn
Review the job posting and take note of which skills and qualifications you excel in
Prepare for Commonly Asked Interview Questions
While you cannot predict the questions that will be asked during the interview, writing out answers to commonly asked interview questions can help prepare you to formulate strong responses.
Write down brief answers to standard interview questions on an index card or in your notebook and rehearse them in a mirror or with a friend before your interview. This way, you have a higher chance of delivering a prepared, thoughtful response when asked during the interview, and you won’t seem mechanical when giving it, either.
Here are some commonly asked interview questions:
Tell me about yourself.
Why do you want this job?
Tell me about your strengths & weaknesses.
How do you handle stress?
Where do you see yourself in five years?
Use the STAR Method
Feeling nervous during an interview is common and can often lead to rambling, stumbling, or missing key points when answering questions. The STAR method offers a simple, effective framework to help you stay focused and concise while showcasing your qualifications.
The STAR method breaks down your response into four components:
Situation: Talk about a specific situation and provide context for the example you’re sharing.
Task: Explain the task or challenge you faced.
Action: Elaborate on the action you took
Result: Share the result, ideally with metrics
By structuring your answers in this clear, anecdotal format, you not only calm interview nerves but also present yourself as a compelling storyteller and communicator, leaving a lasting impression on the interviewer.
Know Your Interviewer
Your first impression on the hiring team can set the tone for the rest of your interview. Before your interview, get to know your interviewer.
Check out their LinkedIn to find out what they do for the company, as well as the correct pronunciation and spelling of their name if you can. Note down any similarities you may have with them, such as living location, university, or a common connection that you may want to highlight in the interview.
