Interview Preparation and Strategies: Key Steps to Success
Interviews are essential tools for employers to evaluate whether you can perform the job, your enthusiasm for the position, and how you’ll integrate into the team. There are various types of interviews, such as screening (in-person or phone), panel or individual, experiential, testing, and group interviews, each with unique approaches. Here’s how you can prepare to excel in your interview and make a lasting impression.
1. Prepare for Success:
Preparation is key to performing well in an interview. Inadequate preparation is often cited as a leading cause of poor performance. To boost your chances, follow these steps:
Understand Your Skills and Challenges
Clearly articulate your skills to demonstrate your value to the employer. Recognize personal, transferable, and technical skills that are most relevant to the position. Be prepared to discuss one or two areas where you are working to improve, showcasing your self-awareness and proactive attitude.
Research the Company and Role
Familiarize yourself with the organization’s values, culture, and the specific role you’re applying for. This demonstrates your genuine interest and helps you assess whether the company is a good fit for you. Tailor your answers to reflect what you’ve learned about the organization, and be prepared to link past experiences to the job description.
Additional Tip: Always follow up with a thank-you note, preferably the same day, either by mail or email. This small gesture can set you apart and helps reinforce your interest.
2. Know Your Accomplishments:
Prepare specific examples that highlight your accomplishments and demonstrate the skills you bring to the table. Use the SAR (Situation, Action, Result) model to structure your responses:
- Situation: Provide context for the accomplishment.
- Action: Explain the specific steps you took.
- Result: Share the positive outcome and what you learned.
This approach is particularly helpful for answering Behavioral Descriptive Interview (BDI) questions.
Create Intelligent Questions
Asking thoughtful questions shows your engagement and interest. Avoid asking questions that are easily answered by reviewing the job posting or company website. Questions should be reflective, helping you assess the role’s fit for you while demonstrating your curiosity and strategic thinking.
Check out our guide with 40+ questions to ask employers: Questions to ask Employers
3. Types of Interview Questions:
Non-Direct Questions:
These questions are broad and do not seek specific information. They require you to craft answers that reflect your skills and suitability for the role. Keep your answers relevant and succinct.
- Examples:
- Tell me about yourself.
- What strengths do you bring to this role?
- Why should we hire you?
Direct Questions:
These questions focus on specific information. Prepare clear, detailed answers related to your background and expertise.
- Examples:
- What experience do you have in this field?
- How proficient are you with this software?
Behavioral Descriptive Interview (BDI) Questions:
These questions assess your past performance to predict future success. They often begin with “Describe a time when…” Use the SAR model to structure your responses.
- Examples:
- Describe a time when you faced a challenge with little support. How did you manage it?
- Tell me about a goal you set and how you achieved it.
Scenario or Hypothetical Questions:
These assess your problem-solving and decision-making abilities. Approach them logically, using a structured decision-making model:
- Gather Information
- Weigh Alternatives
- Make a Decision
- Monitor Results
- Examples:
- What would you do if you couldn’t meet a project deadline?
- How would you handle unwanted advice from a coworker?
4. Salary and Tricky Questions:
Be prepared for questions about salary expectations, which can be tricky. Instead of naming a figure, ask about the employer’s salary range to gauge the position’s fit with your expectations. You can also redirect with a response like, “Compensation is one factor, but the role and team dynamics are more important to me.”
Tricky Questions might focus on hidden motivations or authenticity, such as:
- Why have you been out of work for so long?
- How do you manage time for interviews while working?
5. Post-Interview Follow-Up:
After the interview, send a thank-you note to express gratitude, reiterate your interest, and address any points that were missed. Keep it brief, professional, and sincere. If you decide not to pursue the position, a polite note can leave the door open for future opportunities.
Key Tips:
- Send the thank-you note within 24-48 hours.
- Proofread for grammar and clarity.
- Use personalized details and mention specifics from the interview that solidified your interest in the role.