How to Prepare for an Interview
Editor’s Note: This is the first in a series of articles on interviewing successfully
“Which of you wishing to construct a tower does not first sit down and calculate the cost to see if there is enough for its completion?”
It is Wednesday morning and Anna nervously checks her email for the tenth time. The HR Manager she spoke with last week stated she would be sending her details about her interview with the hiring manager that week.
At last, the email arrives and she learns it will be an in-person interview a week from today. Immediately a knot forms in her throat and her breathing becomes shallow as she remembers her nervousness during past interviews and how unprepared she felt. Self-doubt and anxious thoughts begin to pass through her mind.
Her eye catches a glimpse of the crucifix in her room and she immediately pauses, takes a deep breath, and says a prayer for guidance and peace.
Interviewing for a job is stressful, and Anna’s experience is like that of many others. If you have an interview coming up, there are steps you can take to help reduce interview anxiety and ensure that you present your most confident and polished self.
Begin with Prayer
Ask God to be with you, to grant you His peace and to help you prepare for the interview. Keep a crucifix or holy card of Mary next to your desk as you prepare and look at it often during this time of preparation.
Get Organized
Refocus your mindset: Remember that your goal during the interview is not to get this job at all costs, but to get a better understanding of the job and the company to ensure it is a mutual fit.
Write down your goals and needs for this position. What is drawing you to this position? What do you hope to gain from this experience? What do you need to thrive in this position (cultural fit, management support, a certain salary, specific benefits etc.)? Know and be able to clearly state how your skills and experiences tie into this role and the value you can bring.
Review your interview documents: Read through your resume and refresh yourself on past job duties and accomplishments. If you have any gaps in your work history, prepare for how you will respond to a question about those gaps if it arises.
Practice common interview questions: Be able to answer why you want to work for the company you are applying for. Do not simply say that you need a new job and so decided to apply to this specific one. Practice out loud in front of a mirror or with someone else and be aware of any filler words (ex. “uhs” or “umms”) you may be using. You should also prepare questions for your interviewer as during most interviews, the individual will ask you if you have any questions for him/her.
Research the Company and Industry
Review the job description to make sure you understand the requirements of the job.
Review any internal and external publications you can find about the company on the company website, on their LinkedIn page, Glassdoor, or other social media pages.
Conduct an informational interview with anyone you might know that works at the company to find out what it is like to work there. You can reach out to them directly via LinkedIn or through a shared connection if you have one.
If they are a publicly traded company, review their 10K (a required Securities filing) to learn more about their financials and how they are really performing as a company.
Take time to research their competition. Doing so, may give you an additional talking point during your interview and will show that you have truly done your research.
Research your interviewer and see if you have anything in common that you can casually and professionally bring up during the interview. For example, if you find out that your interviewer also volunteers for Big Brothers Big Sisters like you do, you can naturally mention your involvement during the interview when speaking about your qualifications. One way to potentially learn more about your interviewer in a discreet and professional way is through Private Mode on LinkedIn.
Although this level of research and preparation will require time and effort, it will ensure you enter the interview with the proper terminology and lingo used in the organization and help you to see if this truly is an organization you wish to work for.
Be sure to read part two of this series for tips on what you should and should not do during your interview.
Valentina Imhoff, MBA, is a career coach helping others encounter God through their work. She has lived and worked in six countries and has over 10 years of experience in a variety of industries. In addition to coaching, she facilitates Called & Gifted workshops to help others discern their charisms. Her greatest loves are her husband, son, and trying new recipes in the kitchen. Connect with Valentina at fiatcareercoaching.com, or tune into her podcast on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.