Prepare for interviews

You know you can land that job. We know you can too. Job interviews are your chance to tell your story and explain why you’re the right fit for the job. A little bit of preparation can go a long way, so let’s walk through some tips to help you get ready. 

As soon as you’re invited for an interview, get the details. Ask about:  

• Location  
• Directions  
• Start time  
• Expected duration  
• Parking guidelines  
• Number of interviewers  
• Type of interview (e.g., behavioral, technical) 
• Each interviewer’s name, title, and role in the company (including correct spelling and pronunciation)

Know why you want the position. Is it your first chance to gain experience in a career field you’ve been studying? Do you admire the company's vision? Think about a few reasons before your interview and write them down.   

Learning as much as you can about the company shows the recruiter that you’re prepared and invested in the role. It also may give you a look into company culture or product range. Information to research includes:  

• Products  
• Organizational structure  
• Services  
• Financial status, e.g., stock prices  
• Competitors  
• Reputation  
• Recent major changes  
• Upcoming major changes 

To learn about company culture, history, and mission, check the company website and social media. If you know someone who works for the company, ask them for their perspective. 

Read the job description carefully for the qualifications and align your skills with those as closely as you can. 
 
Write them down or print them out so that you can talk about them confidently and think of examples of how you implemented these skills in your current or prior positions. 

A mock interview is when you find someone to help you practice your response to common interview questions. Practice the following areas. 

Questions may come up naturally during the interview, but it’s good to think of a few in advance to ask at the very end. Interviewers hope that you prepared thoughtful questions. Examples of questions to ask the interviewer include: 

• Why is this role available right now? 
• What are the expectations you have of the person coming into this position?  
• What projects would the person in this position be working on over the next several months? 
• What does success look like for this position after 6 months? 12 months? 
• When will you make your decision? 

There are certain types of questions you’ll want to avoid. Don’t ask about:  

• Benefits, including holiday time, sick time, and vacation time 
• Salary or stock options 

Speak with human relations (HR) or the recruiter about this separately. While you have time with the interviewer, you want to keep questions focused on the role. 

However, if an employer asks about your expected salary range, you should be prepared to answer.  

Explore: Research salary information in the Career Explorer. 

Today, remote interviews are very common. But they might be new to you and that’s okay. We have a few tips to help things go smoothly.  

• Test out the interview platform in advance. Whether it’s Zoom or Teams, you’ll want to download the platform and practice using it well before the day of the interview.   
• Use the best internet connection you have and have a back-up plan if yours is spotty (e.g., use a hotspot, call via phone, etc.).  
• Find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted. It could be a closet, or a bedroom, or your kitchen, but make sure your space makes you relaxed and confident.  
• Use a virtual background, or “blur” your background if your space is distracting. 
• Choose an outfit based on the company dress code. If you can’t figure out the dress code, it’s better to err on the side of being overdressed rather than under. 

If things don’t go perfectly, don’t worry. We’ve all seen a newscast where someone’s dog or child has entered the frame. Just do the best you can.