6 Ways to Prepare for Your Job Interview

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Be ready to impress hiring managers with 6 ways to prepare for your job interview.

Did you know that it takes only 7 minutes for an interviewer to form an opinion about you? That’s because job interviews are like a game—those who prepare, win. If you’re walking in without a game plan, you’re already setting yourself up to lose. 

But here’s the truth: preparation isn’t just about knowing some facts or memorizing answers. That’s beginner-level interview preparation and, frankly, most companies expect that nowadays. 

Instead, being truly prepared for a job interview means having bulletproof confidence, the kind that turns you into a standout candidate who commands the room. 

In this guide, we’re going to review 6 ways to prepare for your job interview, helping you walk in with the swagger of someone who knows they’re the best choice for the job. This isn’t just preparation; it’s creating a competitive edge.

1. Research the Company Thoroughly

Researching the company you’re interviewing with is a crucial first step of 6 ways to prepare for your job interview. Start by delving into the company’s mission, values, and culture. 

Visit their official website, check their social media profiles, and read recent news articles to understand their goals and public perception. Having this information shows your genuine interest in the organization and helps you tailor your responses.

Think about it, which answer to the question “Give me an example of a challenge you faced” is the best? 

1. One time, I had to review a large amount of code for a new client.
2. A situation I definitely remember in this context was when I had to review 10,000 lines of code in two days for a new client, which can be compared to when you guys closed that deal with AT&T, magnitude-wise. 

You didn’t respond with anything overly genius or insightful—you basically said the same thing but with a polite emphasis on the fact you did your homework. 

Likewise, you must go beyond the basics and understand the company’s products or services in detail. If possible, try the products yourself or speak to people who use them. You can even go even more creative—if you’re interviewing for a SAP consultancy company, have someone call them asking about their services first-hand. 

The point is—the more research you do, the less stress you’ll feel when it comes to stepping into that Zoom call. 

This will not only help you answer questions about why you want to work for the company but also prepare you for any technical questions related to the role. Speaking of which…

2. Practice Common Interview Questions

Most interviews include a mix of standard and behavioral questions. Hence, you must prepare answers for common questions such as:

• Tell me about yourself
• What are your strengths and weaknesses?
• Why do you want this job?
• How would you respond to [situation]? 
• Did you ever [common experience for the position]?

Whatever the question might be, use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to answer effectively, and don’t forget to make references to the company or your previous accomplishments. 

But before you even meet the interviewer, take another look at the job description, noting the skills and qualifications required. Ensure your responses highlight how your experience and abilities align with the company’s needs. 

Employers want to see how your unique skills will contribute to their team, not listen to you express yourself for an hour straight. 

3. Prepare Your Own Questions

After you’ve flipped the script on all the difficult questions, it’s still not time to relax. An interview is a two-way street, remember? 

You’re not just answering questions, but you’re also entitled to ask them to determine if the company is a right fit for you. On top of that, you’ll show that you have no problem with taking initiative, which should result in high scores on any evaluation form. 

Asking insightful questions demonstrates that you’re engaged and thinking critically about the role. Consider direct, but open-ended questions like:

• Can you describe a typical day in this position?
• How do you measure success in this role?
• What would you expect me to master after a month in this role? 
• Which learning and development resources will I have access to?

These questions indicate you are already envisioning yourself in the position and are eager to understand how you can contribute.

Don’t forget to flip the script during your job interview and ask about the challenges the company is facing and how your role might help address them. This type of question reflects your problem-solving mindset and eagerness to contribute. It also gives you a sense of the company’s current priorities.

4. Know Your Weaknesses

Even a seasoned generalist will gladly admit they aren’t familiar with something. When attending an interview, this isn’t just a sign of maturity and humility, but also the fact that you’re realistic and honest. 

At the same time, it’s advisable to do at least some research. For instance, if you have experience with HIPAA-compliant servers, but not with hosted GPU servers, you can still shine if you have enough information prepared. The same goes for different programming languages, marketing niches, cybersecurity frameworks and any other adjacent fields. 

Preparing insights on unfamiliar yet related topics shows initiative and adaptability, qualities that impress clients and employers alike.

5. Practice Your Body Language

During a job interview, your body language speaks volumes—55% of communication during an interview is non-verbal, according to research by the University of Texas. 

Thus, you must practice good posture, eye contact, and a firm handshake. Even before you speak, nonverbal cues set the tone for your interaction. 

When answering questions, maintain natural eye contact with the interviewer, and nod occasionally to show you’re attentive. If you have a tendency to interrupt your interlocutor, don’t hesitate to mention you’ll write down notes so you can ask questions later. You’ll come off as attentive and respectful that way. 

To be extra sure you have your non-verbals down to a T, consider doing mock interviews with a friend or mentor. This practice will help you become aware of any habits that might negatively impact your interview, such as fidgeting or avoiding eye contact. The sooner you notice those habits, the sooner you’ll root them out. 

6. Reassess Your Goals

While doing research, practicing your non-verbal communication, and having mock interviews are crucial, the most important thing is—why are you attending the interview in the first place? 

At first glance, the answer might be obvious and that is–to get a job. In reality, however, you can attend an interview because you want to:

• Stay in ‘interview shape.’ Even if you’re happy at your current job, it never hurts to stay in touch with the needs of the market and explore opportunities. If someone is offering more money or better benefits, being in shape might pay off at the right moment. 
• Get better market data before asking for a raise. If you’re planning to ask for a raise, it won’t hurt to have a few better offers on the table to use as leverage. Not only will you have tangible proof you can earn more, but your confidence will also see a bump. 
• Switch to a different industry. When you’re making the jump, it can be difficult to assess your chances. Throwing yourself in the fire can give you a good way to determine if you’re ready to move into a new industry or if you need more preparation. 
• Advance in your career. This is perhaps the most important interview-related goal. Unlike the others, this one has more of a focus on showing you can handle the increased responsibilities for the first time. 

Conclusion

Preparation is key to acing any job interview. This means digging deep—both into your own qualities and what the company stands for, what it’s known for, and how you fit in all of this. Make sure you have an interview rehearsal partner, but most importantly, you need to relax and believe in yourself. Putting these 6 ways to prepare for your job interview into practice will help you feel confident and assured the moment you enter the room.

At the same time, this means you shouldn’t burden yourself with additional expectations related to performance. Remember: it’s about determining if they’re a right fit for you, not just vice versa. Hence, it’s about showing your true colors and expertise, while the rest you can’t really impact.