Guide: How to Prepare for a Job Interview

Difficulty: Medium Time Required: 3–5 hours preparation before interview

A job interview is your chance to show an employer you're the right fit for their role. Most interview outcomes are determined before you walk in the door—preparation is everything. Candidates who research the company, practice their answers, and present themselves professionally significantly outperform those who wing it. This guide walks you through preparing thoroughly so you can interview with confidence.

What You'll Need

Materials:

• Company website and recent news about the organization
• Copy of your resume and the job description
• Notepad and pen for taking notes
• Professional outfit (business casual minimum)
• List of 3–5 questions to ask the interviewer
• Portfolio or work samples if relevant to role

Prerequisites:

• Interview scheduled with confirmed date, time, location (or video link)
• Understanding of the role you're interviewing for
• 3–5 hours to research and practice before interview day
• Quiet space for practice and mock interviews

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Research the company thoroughly

Spend 30–60 minutes on the company website.

• Read their About page, mission statement, recent press releases, and blog posts
• Check their social media
• Google "[Company Name] news" to find recent articles Know what they do, who their customers are, major products/services, and any recent changes or growth. You should be able to explain what the company does in 2–3 sentences.

Step 2: Study the job description and requirements

• Print or save the job posting
• Highlight keywords and required skills
• For each requirement, think of a specific example from your experience that demonstrates that skill If the job wants "project management," prepare a story about a project you managed. Match your experience to what they're looking for.

Step 3: Prepare answers to common interview questions

Write out answers (don’t just think them) to these standard questions:

• "Tell me about yourself" (2-minute career summary)
• "Why do you want this job?" (connect your goals to the role)
• "What's your greatest strength?" (choose one relevant to job)
• "What's your biggest weakness?" (pick a real one with how you're improving)
• "Tell me about a challenge you overcame" (use STAR method: Situation, Task, Action, Result)

Step 4: Practice your answers out loud

• Reading answers in your head is different from speaking them
• Practice in front of a mirror or record yourself on your phone
• Do a mock interview with a friend or family member Saying answers aloud helps you identify awkward phrasing, find your natural voice, and build confidence. Aim for conversational, not memorized-sounding.

Step 5: Prepare 5–7 specific examples using the STAR method

For behavioral questions ("Tell me about a time when..."), use STAR format:

• Situation (context)
• Task (what you needed to do)
• Action (specific steps you took)
• Result (outcome with numbers if possible) Prepare stories about:
• Leadership
• Teamwork
• Problem-solving
• Conflict resolution
• Meeting deadlines
• Handling failure
• Taking initiative Write each one out.

Step 6: Develop thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer

Prepare 5–7 questions because some might get answered during conversation. Good questions:

• "What does success look like in this role after 6 months?"
• "What's the team dynamic like?"
• "What are the biggest challenges facing the team?"
• "What's your favorite part about working here?"
• "What are next steps in the hiring process?" Never ask about salary/benefits in first interview unless they bring it up.

Step 7: Plan your outfit and appearance

• Choose professional attire that's one step up from the company's daily dress code

• When in doubt, go business casual:

  • Dress pants or skirt
  • Button-down shirt or blouse
  • Closed-toe shoes

• Avoid strong perfumes, excessive jewelry, or attention-grabbing patterns

• Lay out your outfit the night before

• Hair should be neat, nails clean, face clean-shaven or beard trimmed

Step 8: Confirm logistics and test technology

The day before:

• Confirm the interview time, location, and interviewer name

• If in-person:

  • Map the route
  • Add 15-minute buffer for traffic/parking

• If virtual:

  • Test your camera, microphone, and internet connection 2 hours before
  • Ensure your background is clean and well-lit
  • Have the video link and a phone number handy in case of technical issues

Step 9: Prepare your materials and reference documents

• Print 3–5 copies of your resume on nice paper

• Bring:

  • Copies of the job description
  • Your references list
  • Portfolio samples if relevant
  • Your list of questions

• Put everything in a professional folder or portfolio

• Bring a pen and notepad

• Have these ready at the door so you’re not scrambling the morning of

Step 10: Do a mental walkthrough the night before

Visualize the interview from start to finish:

• Arriving early
• Greeting the receptionist
• Shaking hands firmly
• Answering questions confidently
• Asking your questions
• Thanking them
• Leaving Mental rehearsal reduces anxiety. Go to bed early (aim for 7–8 hours) and eat a good breakfast. Arrive 10–15 minutes early, never late.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Winging it without preparation: Interviewers can tell instantly when candidates haven't prepared. "I didn't have time to research your company" or generic answers that could apply to any job signal you're not serious. Even 2–3 hours of prep makes a massive difference in confidence and quality of answers.
• Speaking negatively about previous employers: Never badmouth your current/former boss, coworkers, or company even if they were terrible. It makes you look unprofessional and raises red flags. If asked why you're leaving, focus on what you're moving toward ("seeking growth opportunities") not what you're leaving behind.
• Failing to prepare questions to ask: When they ask "Do you have any questions?" and you say "No, you covered everything," you signal disinterest. Always ask questions—it shows you're thinking critically about the role. If your questions were answered, ask follow-ups or pivot to new ones you prepared.
• Checking your phone during the interview: Put your phone on silent and keep it put away. Glancing at it (even once) signals you're not fully engaged. If you're using phone to take notes, explain upfront: "I'm going to take notes on my phone to remember key points—I hope that's okay."
• Arriving too early or late: Showing up 30+ minutes early is awkward—you're making the receptionist babysit you. Arriving late (even 2–3 minutes) is disrespectful. Aim for exactly 10–15 minutes early. If running late due to emergency, call immediately—before your scheduled time.

Pro Tips

• Research your interviewer on LinkedIn: If you know who's interviewing you, look them up. Note their role, how long they've been there, their background. You might find common ground ("I see you also worked in marketing") or understand their perspective better. Don't mention you looked them up unless it comes up naturally.
• Bring a portfolio even if not required: If you have tangible work examples (designs, writing samples, data analysis, project summaries), bring them in a clean portfolio. Being able to show rather than just tell makes your examples memorable and concrete. "Here's the website I redesigned" beats "I redesigned a website."
• Arrive early to observe the office culture: Get there 20 minutes early and spend 10 minutes in the reception area. Watch how employees interact, dress code, office vibe. This gives you clues about culture fit and talking points: "I loved the energy in your office when I arrived."
• Use the interviewer's name during conversation: When appropriate, use their name: "That's a great question, Sarah" or "Sarah, you mentioned..." This builds rapport and helps you remember their name (important for thank-you notes). Don't overdo it—once or twice is enough.
• End with a strong closing statement: When they ask if you have final thoughts, don't just say "No, thank you." Recap your interest: "I'm very excited about this opportunity. Based on everything we discussed, I think my experience in [X] and [Y] makes me a great fit, and I'd love to contribute to your team."

Related Skills

• How to Write a Resume That Gets Noticed
• How to Negotiate Salary
• How to Evaluate a Job Offer
• How to Plan a Career Path