Interview Preparation Tips

As with anything in life, practice makes perfect. And interviewing is no exception to this rule. Here are a few pre-interview practices you should get in the habit of doing each time you’re preparing for an interview:

• Short and Long-Term Goals. What are your specific professional and personal goals? Write down three short-term goals and three long-term goals that are SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely. You want to be confident in your vision. What are you trying to achieve, how are going to achieve it, and how long is it going to take?
• Research. The Internet is your best friend when it comes to learning about a company. Educate yourself on the company by perusing the corporate website, any relevant news articles, and even insider blogs. You want to walk into the interview having a clear picture of the company as a whole, including their specific line of business, achievements, and company culture.
• Common Interview Questions. You can be almost 100% certain you will be asked one, if not many, generic interview questions. Practice answering these questions with specific and relevant examples. You may want to consider involving a friend or your spouse in this exercise and asking their feedback afterwards. Some of the most common questions are:
  • What’s your greatest weakness? Strength?
  • What makes you unique?
  • What do you know about our company?
  • Why are you interviewing for this position?
  • Why are you the best fit for this position?