Negotiating You, Part 2: Nailing the Interview

In my last piece, I discussed some tips and tricks on how to market yourself effectively for the job hunt. In this piece, I’ll go through some tips on how to prepare for the interview so you can present your best self to any company. 

First, interviews are very important to the decision-making process for candidates. It helps stakeholders get to know an individual, determine whether they would be a good culture, mission, personality fit for the team and organization, and deduce an applicant’s true skill level. Interviews can’t tell an organization everything about a candidate, but they can give some of the most valuable insight. 

As such, when preparing for an interview, take some time to understand the organization’s purpose and mission. If it’s not easily accessible, try to find someone on LinkedIn you know who may be able to point you in the right direction. As I mentioned in my previous article, mission-driven organizations especially look for attentiveness to their ideals. Taking this extra step will likely set you apart.

Next, do some research on standard interview questions for the role and think of some mock answers. While you may not receive those questions, arranging your thoughts and pondering how you’d answer them will help you think more quickly when you are on the spot. Try to contemplate your responses in this format: what happened, how did you react to it, and what was the consequence of your action? Did it help or hurt? Bonus points for including what you learned. Some organizations like Talent Market or your alma mater’s handy Career Center offer mock interviews and interview resources, which are underutilized, but should not be undervalued.

Before you’re done, compose three questions about the company, the team you’d work for, and/or the job you will be performing. Most places leave time for you to ask questions, and thoughtful questions tend to impress the judges. I recommend asking about what’s most important to you in a role. Interviews allow you to get to know an organization, too. For me, I always ask about what gets a person out of bed everyday excited to come to work. This helps me determine an interviewer’s passion for the work, which is important to me in a job.

Lastly, get an outfit ready and set all of your alarms! Make sure you have something professional and appropriate to wear, regardless of whether the interview is over Zoom or in person. I suggest a suit with a jacket. Have a plan for the day of the interview ready to go: Do you have the correct address? How long will it take you to commute? Do you need to park, and if so, where? Do you have the correct zoom link? And do you have all the necessary materials ready to go? Taking the time to do this the day before will set you up for success and keep you from scrambling last-minute. 

Congrats! You’ve now made it to the big day. In the interview, I suggest writing down the names of each person speaking with you and listening carefully to what they ask. Be humble and honest about your experiences, and take notes about anything that stands out. 

After most interviews, some interviewees send individual thank you’s either in email or mail form to the office. They typically include a more personal note about a question or response that was helpful to the candidate. This practice is highly recommended. First, even if you don’t get the job, they will almost certainly appreciate that you took the time to thank them. Only about 1/4 of hiring managers ever receive a thank you note, so it may set you apart from the other applicants. Second, you may end up running in the same professional circles with your interviewers, and this will help them remember you. Third, it’s appropriate to share your gratitude for the opportunity, so why not put a smile on someone’s face? 

The stress and anxiety of interview day can be overwhelming. But when you make it to an interview, something caught the hiring manager’s eye about your application. Just remember that if you find yourself overwhelmed or nervous. These professionals are here to learn about you and why you’d like to work for them. Even if they pass on the opportunity to hire you, keep trying and practicing. The right role is out there!