How to Prepare for an Interview
You’ve been offered an interview! Now what? An interview is a chance to share who you are as a candidate and learn more about the opportunity. Whether on the phone, in person, or virtual, make sure you prepare for each stage of the interview.
Body language is key whether the interview is by phone, Zoom or in-person. Check out resources within our office, with your professors and outside like Amy Cuddy’s TED Talk on power poses.
- Research the company or organization. Review their website to learn about their values, mission, projects, and more. This demonstrates you’ve done your part to learn about them and show alignment between your values/skills and their needs.
- Arrange an informational interview (if you can). Talk to someone at the company or someone familiar with the interview process for that position to get insider knowledge. You can find individuals on LinkedIn or LMU Connect.
- Do a mock interview. Use Big Interview to practice your answers and receive immediate feedback on your verbal and nonverbal cues at any time for free.
- Look the part! Stop by our CPD Mane Apparel to rent professional attire for free.
- If you’re interviewing online, check your technology to make sure you have good Wi-Fi and a clean background. If you are doing a phone interview, be sure to take the call standing up, not in a car or a place with noise or outside distractions.
- Use the STAR method. This is an easy way to keep your answers direct, concise, and tell a story to show how you think and behave.
- Ask them questions too. This is your chance to learn more about them and ensure fit! Get curious, bring a list of questions and avoid saying, “I don’t have any questions.”
- Send a follow up thank you email to each person you met with, 24-48 hours post-interview. It also provides an opportunity to reinforce or mention anything you didn’t highlight during your interview.
- Give them time. Allow employers time to review their interview notes and possibly interview other candidates. Ask during the interview about their hiring timeline so you know when to follow-up.
- Celebrate your accomplishment! Interviewing is not easy, congratulate yourself with self-care or a reward to honor your hard work. Connect with a CPD coach to debrief or get feedback for next time.
