Part 1 – Do Your Research

Often, the job interview process begins long before you walk into the office. Preparing for the job interview can seem overwhelming, but fundamentally it involves researching the company, the role, and yourself.

Start with researching the company: Understand the company’s mission, values, and goals. Look at its products, services, and public reviews. Search LinkedIn and Glassdoor to uncover employee experiences. Even a simple Google search can be powerful. It’s key that you come to the job interview with an understanding of the core of what the company does.

Part 2 – Know Your Role & Skills

Do your research on the role as if you have already accepted it. Any job posting should be a great starting point. Take note of the responsibility, qualifications, and required skills for the role.

Then, reflect on yourself and think about what skills you bring to the role. Also consider the things that you have accomplished in your career and pinpoint how those experiences have equipped you. Take time to think about how what you’ve learned can be applied to the role.

Part 3 – Practice Your Responses

Before you enter the interview, it’s best to familiarize yourself with commonly asked questions. These can range from your experience, achievements, weaknesses, and more. While you don’t want to memorize your responses, it’s acceptable to prepare a lot and go through personal experiences you plan to share.

It’s great to practice with a friend and ask them to give you feedback on how you answer certain questions. You can also conduct a mock interview and record your answers so you can come back to them and review. The main goal is to be prepared for the conversation and to be yourself during the job interview.

Part 4 – Prepare Logistics, Appearance, and Materials

Two key things to prepare before the job interview are logistics and materials. Logistics include reaching out to determine a location, understanding the duration, researching the interviewers, and double-checking the expected start time. It’s great to plan to show up 5-10 minutes earlier than your scheduled time.

Appearance is also important and consider dressing one-level higher than the job you’re applying for. You should also come prepared with copies of your cover letter, resume, transcript, and letters of recommendation if necessary. Having these things on hand gives off the impression that you are organized and prepares you for any conversation.

Part 5 – Actionable Steps

Here are a few concrete steps you can take to make this job interview a success:

• Look up the company and role prior to the job interview and browse their website, including the “about us” and “FAQs” pages
• Review commonly asked questions and think through stronger, more detailed responses prior to the job interview
• Reach out to the company the day before to confirm the details including the time, place, and people involved
• Write down the questions you want to ask the interviewer and make sure to have them handy during the job interview
• Plan for the job interview by scheduling extra time for getting lost, parking, or anything you may forget

Conclusion

Your career transition doesn’t have to be stressful. Preparing for the job interview is critical and advancing through the process begins long before you walk in the door. With the right approach, organization, and resources, you can take control of the job interview process and get one step closer to reaching your dream career.