How to Prepare for a Job Interview - step by step process guide
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How to Prepare for a Job Interview

6 steps 4h 0min Beginner

Most candidates wing it. Spending 4-6 hours preparing puts you in the top 20%. The basics: research company, prepare STAR stories, prepare questions.

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Step-by-Step Instructions

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Step 1: Research the company (90 min)

Read about page, recent news, press releases, LinkedIn of interviewer. Find one specific thing to reference in interview.

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Read company About + Careers + Press pages

Their stated mission and values. Reference in answers.

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LinkedIn the interviewer

Background, common connections, recent posts. Personal touch in opening.

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Glassdoor for interview questions

Often shows actual questions asked at the company. Free with signup.

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Step 2: Prepare 5 STAR stories

Situation, Task, Action, Result. Have 5 stories ready that cover: leadership, conflict, failure, success, teamwork. Most behavioral questions map to these.

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STAR template for each story

Situation (context). Task (your role). Action (what you did). Result (outcome with metric).

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Cover: leadership, conflict, failure, success, teamwork

These 5 categories handle most behavioral questions.

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Step 3: Prepare questions to ask THEM

'No questions' = not interested. Prepare 5+ thoughtful questions. About the role, the team, the company strategy, the interviewer's experience.

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5+ questions ready

Some get answered during interview. You need backup.

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Good: 'What does success look like in 90 days?'

Shows you're thinking about delivering value.

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Avoid: salary, benefits, time off (first interview)

Save for offer stage.

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Step 4: Practice OUT LOUD (huge)

Practice answers out loud. Record yourself. Most people sound terrible the first time — practice fixes that.

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Record and listen to yourself

Phone voice memo. Painful but effective.

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Mock interview with friend or partner

Have them ask 10 behavioral questions. Notice patterns where you stumble.

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Step 5: Logistics: outfit, route, tech check

Day-of stress comes from logistics. Lay out clothes, plan route (arrive 15 min early), test camera/mic for virtual interviews.

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Plan to arrive 10-15 min early

Account for traffic, parking, finding the building.

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Test camera/mic/lighting for virtual

Test the actual platform (Zoom, Teams, Google Meet). Have headphones.

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Print extra resumes (in-person)

Sometimes interviewers don't have your resume. Hand them one.

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Step 6: Follow up with a thank-you email

Send within 24 hours. Reference something specific from the conversation. Reiterate interest. Most candidates skip this — easy differentiator.

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Thank-you email within 24 hours

Short, personalized. Reference a specific topic from conversation.

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