How to Prepare for a Job Interview

Co-authored by Alyson Garrido, PCC and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: June 24, 2024 Fact Checked

You sent in an application and you landed an interview—nice work! Here comes the nerve-wracking part: heading into the job interview. With a little preparation, you can make a great first impression with your potential employer without a ton of extra stress.

Interview Help

Sample Interview Day Checklist

Sample Job Interview Questions and Responses

Sample Interview Strengths and Weaknesses

Interview Tips and Tricks

Sample Post Interview Thank You Note

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Background Knowledge

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1
Familiarize yourself with the job posting you applied for. Take a look at the job posting and glance over the qualifications and the skills needed. Try to remember these during your interview so you can highlight how your job history and skills fit in with the job opening.^{[1]
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- For example, the job posting might say you need excellent time management skills and close attention to detail. When you get to the interview, you can talk about how you’ve used those skills in the past.
2
Research the company and its history. Head over to the company website and learn a little more about what they do. Spend some time looking at their past projects, their mission statement, and their history so you can discuss these factors in your interview as needed.^{[2]
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- Referencing past projects or asking questions about future ones is a great way to show that you care about this job and the company.
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3
Learn more about the company culture on social media. If the company has a blog or a social media page, spend a few minutes scrolling through it to find out what their company is like a little more. They may talk about work-life balance, fun projects, or even employee accomplishments.^{[3]
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- If the company doesn’t have a blog or a social media page, that’s fine too. Just spend time looking through their website.
4
Look over your resumé and your own qualifications. Your interviewer will probably have a copy of your resumé in front of them when they start asking questions. Make sure you can talk about specific projects or job duties and how they relate to the job you’re applying for.^{[4]
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- You should pay special attention to your “skills” or “qualifications” section since that’s where you get to talk about why you’re a good fit for the job.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Common Interview Questions

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1
Practice answering interview questions with a friend. It might sound silly, but holding a mock interview can be super helpful in the days before your real one. Ask your friend to sit down with you and ask some questions that your interviewer might ask.^{[5]
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- If a friend or a loved one isn’t available, look up some common interview questions and practice answering them in a mirror.
2
Have an explanation for any gaps on your resumé. If you were unemployed for any length of time, your interviewer may ask about it. Try to come up with some skills or qualities you gained during your time off to make up for the lack of job experience. For example:^{[6]
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- If you were caring for a sick loved one, you can talk about how it helped you gain perspective on the world.
- If you were traveling, you can talk about how you experience diverse cultures and how you’d use those experiences in the workplace.
3
Play up your strengths. During the interview, you might be asked about what you do well. Try to come up with 2 to 3 examples of skills you’ve used in the workplace that you could transfer to your new job. For example, you could say:^{[7]
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- “At my last job, I was in charge of our weekly team meetings. I used my skills as a leader and as a team player to make sure everyone felt involved and like they had a say in what was going on.”
- “My previous role as a customer service rep taught me a lot about communication and the importance of attentive listening.”
EXPERT TIP

Charbel Atala
Talent Acquisition Strategist & Managing Partner
Charbel Atala is a Talent Acquisition Strategist & Managing Partner at Talent Gurus, a game-changing retained search firm located in the heart of San Francisco, California. With a unique blend of over five years in talent acquisition and a solid 15-year background in corporate law, Charbel crafts performance-driven talent solutions that are tailored to each client's unique culture and needs.

Charbel Atala
Talent Acquisition Strategist & Managing Partner

Radiate authenticity and confidence. While relevant experience matters to recruiters, bringing genuine enthusiasm, self-confidence and a consistent personal brand to the process can be just as influential.
4
Explain why you want to work for the company. Your interviewer might ask you what made you apply for the position that you did. You can talk about the company culture, the job position, or your educational background. Try something like:^{[8]
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- “When I saw the listing for an accountant at your company, I was intrigued. I heard about how well your company treats its employees, and I’m interested in the projects that you do.”
- “My background is in biology, and I’ve always been interested in animals. When the position for a zookeeper opened up, I knew I had to jump on it.”
5
Talk about how your skills apply to the job. This is another way you can talk about your strengths, but you can make them specific to the job description. Use real examples of things you did in previous workplaces to talk about why you’d be a good fit.^{[9]
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- You might say, “As a general contractor, I learned a lot about the inner workings of the construction field. Since I have so many years of experience, I know that I could run a construction team efficiently.”
- Or, “When I was a waiter, I learned how to multitask and use my time wisely. I think that I can transfer those skills into a managerial position easily, especially since I know how to run the front of the house.”
6
Think of 2 to 3 questions to ask your interviewer. At the end of the interview, your interviewer will probably ask if you have any questions for them about the job or the company. You can use the company website and your background knowledge to ask a few questions like:^{[10]
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Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

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- What does a typical work day look like?
- What are the most immediate projects that need to be addressed?
- What are the biggest challenges that someone in this position would face?
- Can you show me examples of projects I’d be working on?

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

The Day of the Interview

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1
Dress in professional clothing. As a rule of thumb, you should dress up slightly more than you would on a typical workday.^{[11]
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Expert Source

Alyson Garrido, PCC
Career Coach

Expert Interview. 24 January 2020.} Casual offices might only require business casual attire, while more professional ones may need fully professional clothing.^{[12]
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- It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.
- You can learn about the dress code / typical attire by checking out pictures on the company’s website or social media pages.
2
Get there at least 5 minutes early. Showing up on time makes a good first impression, so try not to be late. Get to your interview 5 to 10 minutes beforehand so you don’t inconvenience the interviewer by showing up way too early.^{[13]
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- Make your travel arrangements well ahead of the day of the interview. Showing up on time can mean the difference between getting the job and not getting the job.
3
Bring 3 to 4 copies of your resumé to share with your interviewers. Your interviewers will probably have your resumé printed out already, but it’s nice to show that you’re prepared. Bring a few copies of your resumé to share with your interviewers if they need one.^{[14]
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- You can also use one of the copies as a guide as you talk through your job experience and qualifications.
- If you submitted work samples, you may want to bring a few copies of those as well.
4
Shake the interviewer’s hand and introduce yourself. First impressions are key here. Grasp your interviewer’s hand firmly and tell them your name before you start.
- If you have a couple interviewers, you don’t need to shake everyone’s hand. Just introduce yourself to the group.

How Do You Ace an Interview?

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Question

What outfit should I wear to an interview?

Alyson Garrido, PCC
Career Coach
Alyson Garrido is an International Coach Federation accredited Professional Certified Coach (PCC), Facilitator, and Speaker. Using a strengths-based approach, she supports her clients with job search and career advancement. Alyson provides coaching for career direction, interview preparation, salary negotiation, and performance reviews as well as customized communication and leadership strategies. She is a Founding Partner of the Systemic Coach Academy of New Zealand.

Alyson Garrido, PCC

Career Coach

Expert Answer

Find out the dress code for the business and try to dress one level more professional. For example, if it's a casual office, aim for a business casual outfit.

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