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Use this 15-minute checklist to prepare for a job interview
Confirm with everyone
It's not uncommon for hiring managers to hand you over to someone else on the team to meet you at the last minute. Send a quick email to encourage them to plan:
Hi Kamala, I’m really excited to come in on Tuesday. I just wanted to confirm that I’ll be speaking with you and Jarrod. Could you please let me know if there’s anyone else I should look forward to meeting? Thanks so much!
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Confirm with everyone
It's not uncommon for hiring managers to hand you over to someone else on the team to meet you at the last minute. Send a quick email to encourage them to plan:
Hi Kamala, I’m really excited to come in on Tuesday. I just wanted to confirm that I’ll be speaking with you and Jarrod. Could you please let me know if there’s anyone else I should look forward to meeting? Thanks so much!
The interviewer’s LinkedIn and Twitter
Skim their history on LinkedIn, then move way down to the bottom. If they have endorsements and recommendations, it can give you a feel for their management style.
Twitter can help you guess at an interviewer's personality, interests, and values.
Your “about me” answer
Your interviewer will probably open with some form of "Tell me a little about yourself." Plan your answer using a few quick bullet points to keep things brief en then commit it loosely to memory.
- Skip your personal history.
- Give two or three sentences about your career path.
- Mention how you decided to apply to this job.
- Leave enough curiosity that the interviewer becomes excited to learn more about you.
One great question
Think about the no.1 thing you really want to know. Line that question up to pose to the hiring manager. Just being curious is a marketable job skill.
For instance, the question could be about the expectations for the role, career advancement, something to help you understand the company culture, or even a qualitative question like, "Why do you see X as important?"
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A Long Multi-Round Process
If you feel there is fog ahead of you due to opacity in the interview process and the multiple rounds, you can simply ask the next steps of the process and the timeline for a decision.
If you think the employer has an elongated set of rounds ahead, request to consolidate them if possible.
Stumped By A Question
Instead of bluffing your way through a question that you are completely stumped with, it is better to be upfront and handle it with honesty and grace. Tell them straight away that you do not know the answer to this question and what similar things you have done which have been effective.
Your life experiences are unique and not identical to what the interviewer is trying to ‘slot’ you into.
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What you should not say
- Starting with something personal like family or hobbies, or launching into your life story.
- Sharing the problems with your current job.
- Summarizing your resume, point-by-point....
Craft an elevator pitch
- Spend some time reviewing the job description in the recruitment ad for the position and research the company.
- Prepare a short script that highlights the skills, strengths and expertise you have that make you especially qualified for this particular position.
- Explain the reasons you’re applying for this particular job. Focus on career-related motivations.
Your purpose to the question
Your purpose to the question "tell me about yourself" is to give just enough details of yourself to spark the interest of the interviewer.
Answering this question gives you a great opportunity to spotlight the skills and experience that make you the ideal candidate for the job.
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The reason for the question
Interviewers ask questions like "tell me about yourself " to determine if you're qualified to do the work and if you will fit in with the team.
How to Answer the Question
It might be a good idea to share something about yourself that is doesn't relate directly to your career.
For example, interests like running might represent that you are healthy and energetic. Pursuits like being an avid reader might showcase your intellectual leaning. Volunteer work will demonstrate your commitment to the welfare of your community.
The “present-past-future” formula
This is a simple formula to construct your response.
- Start with a short overview of where you are now (which could include your current job along with a reference to a personal hobby or passion).
- Reference how you got to where you are (you could mention education, or an important experience, internship or volunteer experience).
- Finish by describing a probable goal for the future.
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