Learn everything you can about the company, and from different sources. Know someone that works at the company? Start there to tap into interview tips and culture questions. Outside of doing a deep dive on the website and LinkedIn of your interviewer (finding connections and showing you did this research is crucial), go the extra mile and do a basic google search of any recent press or social posts. Being able to speak to a recent event gives you edge and a great talking point! Based on your findings (ie. values, mission statement, company size), adjust answers in your interview accordingly!
One of the most frequently asked first questions in an interview is “tell me about yourself”. While we could all go on and on, this should be a 60 second overview of you as a person (in and out of the office). Start with who you are and what you are doing currently, what you’ve done and how you got there, your top skills or abilities you bring to the table (why you are successful), your one or two values that you are looking for in your next role, and lastly a personal hobby or two you enjoy outside of the office.
There are TONS of articles out there that highlight top interview questions and how to prepare. Our biggest piece of advice is to practice! Almost every question asked will include speaking about a skill, achievement, failure, value, ownership, obstacle. Have a strong concrete example to provide from your work history to highlight each of those areas. These will help bring your answers to life. Doing the thoughtful deepdive on this prior to the interview and having these notes will help you feel at ease when it comes time for the interview.
We always remind our candidates that this is an opportunity to interview the company as well. It is a two way street and you should get all the information you can to make an informed decision on taking a long term opportunity. Proactively writing thoughtful, open ended questions for each interviewer is crucial. Some common themes: defining success, training expectations, values, culture, challenges, opportunities for growth.
Interview processes can be nerve wracking and extensive. With so many steps and often interviewing for multiple roles, it is imperative to take notes along the way to keep you organized. Detailed interview notes help with follow up thank yous, show your listening skills in follow up interviews, and will help you make a decision in the end if it comes down to multiple offers.
Rule of thumb- keep it short and sweet, but also personal! Send these out within 12 hours of the interview. Tell the interviewer thank you, reiterate your interest in the role and why you are a good fit (those concrete examples from your past may come back in handy here), and let them know you look forward to hearing from the team. Triple check spelling and grammar. The thank you note often holds just as much weight as the interview.