Expert tips for preparing to ace an interview

Preparing for an interview takes time and effort. A job candidate only gets one chance to make a first impression. I have never regretted over preparing for an interview. It can help candidates stand out from the competition and leave a lasting impression.

In a poll of over 5,700 LinkedIn users, over 60% said they spent less than 5 hours preparing for an interview. Most Briefcase Coach clients, leaders and executives wanting to level up, spend over 10 hours preparing for a single interview. A quality of job search requires a candidate to spend time on application and resume. To land the job, it is also import to spend time preparing for the interview. I suggest candidates for mid-level positions, spend 5 to 10 hours of targeted time preparing for an interview.

The Job Description is a Road Map to Preparing for an Interview

The job description is the road map for the opportunity. The hiring team is (or should be!) assessing their candidate pool based on the requirements in the JD.

First, get out the job description and read every line. Use a highlighter and a pen and prepare an example for each line item. Think of an example of a time you performed a task or met a goal that resembles what the position entails or the qualifications are requesting. Speak to your experience and quantify results when possible. The interviewers will want to see how you can serve their pain points help alleviate them. I went through the requirements and underlined the content that I thought was important to the role (simple term: OPP/opportunity pain point).

You want to look at each line and consider that they could turn it into a behavioral-based interview question. For example, the third line of bullet point #1 states that the role will involve coordinating the use of outside legal counsel. Knowing this, it’s highly likely that a question will come up in the interview about managing outside counsel.

What would success look like for this role in regards to coordinating with outside legal council?

– Cost savings?
– Diversity/representation?
– When does it make sense to work with outside legal counsel?

If these are OPPs for this specific requirement, consider the questions that could come from this:

– Tell me about a time that you helped control costs or reduced outside counsel spend? How did you do it and what was the impact on the business?
– Was there a diversity value at your past employer? If so, did you make an impact on this?

Let AI help you prepare for your interview

Now, with the power of AI, this can be done faster, more efficiently, and more effectively. At the end of this article, you will find our AI prompts for dissecting job descriptions to help prep for your interview.

Do Your Research

Research people who are interviewing you

Look for public facing articles, podcast, etc. Prepare to make small talk, draw connections between their interests and experience and yours. This can be done whether the interview is virtual or in person. 60% have made a decision within first 5 minutes. Make those five minutes count.

Dig into company research

Read about the corporate values, leadership team, and culture of the company. Think about how you personally connect with the values. Look for relevant information in current news about the company or industry. Weaving this into your conversation and answers can show genuine interest in the company and the work they do.

Prepare to answer behavioral interview questions

Prepare STAR stories for behavioral interview questions

The STAR technique allows candidate to stay focused and deliver a results driven situational anecdote. Use the job description and company profile to help anticipate the types of scenarios that may be helpful to reference during the interview.

Practice answering questions before the interview

LinkedIn rolled out a feature for premium to help prepare for interviews. Users are able to answer questions on video and then receive professional feedback on their answer. Users are also able to play their recordings to work on tone, dictation and refine their answers. A strong interview response is 60 – 120 seconds – under 3 minutes. Practicing what you are going to say can help your answer be professional, natural, and concise.

Career expert Bogdan Zlatkov suggests using a timer to help practice – and to practice more than once. “It’s important to practice your answers systematically too. I recommend setting a timer for 3 minutes and answering each common interview question. Repeat 5 times for each question to hone in your answer, then move on to the next question.”

Different is Better than Better in an Interview

Determine your unique value proposition

I remind my executive clients all of the time that different is better than better. Sometimes it’s hard to evaluate in an interview which candidate is the best. It’s much easier to assess out who is doing things differently.

It’s important to go into an interview with clarity on who you are, what you’re passionate about, & what opportunities or learning experiences you’ve had that are unique to you.

An interviewer’s number one job is to find the best candidate for the position they are hiring for. Forewith, your job is to prove to them that you’re the perfect candidate. It’s important to articulate clearly what makes you different than other job seekers.

Fight your nerves

Nerves can be high in group interviews. Therefore, focus on trying to make a small connection with each person interviewing. Be sure to have something to take notes on and write down each persons name. When asking questions or following up with answers always try to direct the interviewers by name. People love to hear their name and will feel seen and heard.

Look the part for your interview

Dress for success. Be sure to get a good sense of the proper attire for your interview. It is always better to show up overdressed than underdressed.

Be sure to mind your manners

Finally, thank you notes are a really powerful tool in the interview process. It is important to follow up with a note to reinforce that you want the role, your unique qualification and your value and passion for the work. Decisions are made quickly and there is not always a lot of time to turn around a hand written note. Email is time efficient perfectly acceptable. Be sure to get contact information for everyone you meet with. Following the interview, send them each a personalized email within 6 hours of meeting. Do not send a mass email. Take the time to make this impression count.

Adjust Your Technique to Different Types of Job Interviews

While the purpose behind a job interview remains the same—an opportunity for mutual evaluation—the past few decades have introduced new interview formats into the mix.

Understanding the purpose of each interview type and having a tailored game plan in place offers you your best shot at interview success. Adapting your approach to the format will help you stand out as a well-prepared candidate, ready to make a lasting impression.

Here’s a breakdown of the most 5 common interview styles, both old and new, along with quick insights on their purpose, what they mean for you, and how you can prepare.

What if you are pressed for time when preparing for an interview?

If you do not have of extra time to prepare for an upcoming interview maximize your time by focusing on these three things:

• Be familiar with the job description. There is so much information in a job description. Therefore, read each line carefully and understand what the role is and what the company is looking for in their new hire.

• Focus on first five minutes. Prepare points for small talk and nail tell me about yourself question. When describing yourself, be sure to connect who you are with pain points of role.

• Know the most popular questions in interviews and how you would answer them. These are: What is your strength/weakness? Why are you looking for a new position? (This can easily cue red flags. Be sure to tie your stories back to job description. Define your unique value proposition.)

• Practice your answers. I recommend using Yoodli, a non-judgemental tool powered by AI that helps track how many filler words that you used, your pace, repetition, and more. If you have an interview coming up, I highly recommend using the tool to practice essential interview questions like “Tell me about yourself” or “Why are you looking to leave your current company.”

Briefcase Coach Prompt Library

Decoding Job Descriptions and Crafting Practice Interview Questions

Job Description KEYWORD Extraction Prompt:

“I am a [Your Profession] with [Number] years of experience in [Your Industry]. I am proficient in [List of Skills] and have a proven track record of success in [List of Accomplishments]. I am currently seeking a [Target Job Title] position.

Please analyze the following job description and identify the key skills, qualifications, and keywords that are most relevant to this role. Additionally, suggest two behavioral interview questions that an interviewer might ask based on the key themes and requirements you identify.

[Paste Job Description Here]”

Example:

“I am a Software Engineer with 10 years of experience in the technology industry. I am proficient in Java, Python, and SQL and have a proven track record of success in developing and implementing complex software solutions. I am currently seeking a Senior Software Engineer position.

Please analyze the following job descriptions and identify the key skills, qualifications, and keywords that are most relevant to this role. 

[Paste Job Descriptions Here]”

Why Keywords Matter:

• Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS): Many companies use ATS software to scan resumes for relevant keywords. By incorporating these keywords into your resume and cover letter, you increase your chances of getting noticed.
• Tailored Applications: Understanding the key skills and qualifications allows you to tailor your application materials and highlight your most relevant experience.
• Interview Preparation: Anticipating potential interview questions helps you prepare thoughtful and compelling answers that showcase your abilities.

BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEW QUESTION Prompt:

“Based on the keywords identified from the previous job description analysis, generate 2-3 behavioral interview questions that assess my skills and experience in [mention 2-3 key skills or areas]. Focus on questions that would allow me to demonstrate my [mention desired qualities or strengths, e.g., leadership, problem-solving, teamwork, etc.]. Ensure the questions are open-ended and encourage me to share specific examples from my career.”

Example:

“Based on the keywords identified from the previous job description analysis, generate 2-3 behavioral interview questions that assess my skills and experience in project management and communication. Focus on questions that would allow me to demonstrate my leadership and problem-solving abilities. Ensure the questions are open-ended and encourage me to share specific examples from my career.”