How to Prepare for an Interview

After perfecting your resume, tweaking your cover letter, and applying for job after job, you’ve certainly put in the work when it comes to getting, well, work. Chances are if you’re here, you have an interview lined up and are one step closer to your career goals—congrats! With the right interview tips—including an interview-ready beauty look, interview questions, and an office-approved wardrobe—there’s no doubt you’ll ace it. Looking for ways to prep for an upcoming interview? We’ve got you covered! Below, find all the job interview tips you need to become interview-ready.

11 INTERVIEW TIPS TO GET YOU READY

If you have an interview marked on your calendar, keep these seven tips in mind during your interview prep session!

INTERVIEW PREP TIP #1: RESEARCH THE COMPANY

It’s no secret that nailing an interview requires putting in some work, or in this case, research. Prior to your interview, do your research on the company you’re interviewing with. What’s their mission? How do they value company culture? Researching this beforehand not only shows your interest in the company, but it’ll also prevent you from asking questions you could have easily found the answer to.

INTERVIEW PREP TIP #2: RESEARCH THE POSITION

Aside from researching the company, you’ll want to research the position you’re applying for. Head to job sites to scope out any reviews you can find and get a feel for the requirements of the job. The more you know about the daily duties you’ll be responsible for, the better you’ll do during your interview!

INTERVIEW PREP TIP #3: RESEARCH YOUR INTERVIEWER

If you know the person you’ll be interviewing with, do some research on them as well. How did they get to the position they’re in now? What’s their background? Knowing more about your interviewer can help you determine if the position and company are right for you, as well as allow you to feel more prepared and comfortable going into your interview.

INTERVIEW PREP TIP #4: KEEP IT PROFESSIONAL

As much as we love a trendy beauty look, you may not want to be the most fashion-forward individual come your interview (depending on the job you’re interviewing for, of course). Here are some basic guidelines. 

For your outfit…your best bet is to wear a pair of black slacks, blazer, and a blouse with a pair of comfy heels. You don’t want to be stumbling (or in pain) when walking to and from your interview!

For your hair and makeup…you’ll want to keep things simple. Head over to our article, How to Do Your Hair and Makeup for an Interview for a step-by-step tutorial.

For your nails…don't think too far outside the box—clean, subtle nails are always a winner. Here’s How to Do Your Nails for a Job Interview.

INTERVIEW PREP TIP #5: BRING EXTRA COPIES OF YOUR RESUME

As a general rule of thumb, it’s always a good idea to have 10 copies of your resume on hand when attending your interview. You never know if you’ll end up meeting with more than one person, and it’s always a good idea to be over prepared! Need some resume tips? Here are a few basics to keep in mind.

Resume tip #1. Keep it to one page. When it comes to resume length, don’t go overboard. Stick to one page—you can ditch the high school extracurricular activities or part-time jobs if need be! Focus on keeping only information that’s relevant to the job you’re applying for.

Resume tip #2: Opt for ivory or gray resume paper. Stand out in a pile of white by printing your resume on ivory or gray paper.

Resume tip #3: Proofread it. After typing up your resume, take a step back and proofread it at a later date. Also, feel free to have a friend or family member look it over. Typos, beware!

Resume tip #4: Look for examples. Certain industries have different expectations for resume layouts. For instance, if you’re in a business field, you may want to stick with a simple, straightforward resume format. If you’re in a creative field, you can usually get a little more inventive with the layout. Look up examples to get a feel for the resume style that best fits the job you’re applying for.

INTERVIEW PREP TIP #6: PRACTICE YOUR ANSWERS

We don’t mean rehearse a script, but often times people can be nervous and blank when put on the spot. Think about common interview questions you may be asked and practice your answers so you aren’t thrown off guard come interview time.

Interview Question #1: What animal are you? While there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong answer to this question, you should contemplate what qualities you’d like the emphasize about yourself. Your interviewer will likely be looking to see how quickly you can think on your feet! If you have strong leadership skills, consider a lion. If you’re a team player, perhaps a bird. Get creative and think about your reasoning!

Interview Question #2: What’s your biggest weakness? There are two ways of thinking about this question. The first is to try and use it to your advantage by twisting your weakness to be a positive thing. For example, you can say you’re a perfectionist, which can cause you to take control in many situations. Your other option is to point out a weakness and talk about the ways you’ve already addressed it. For example, you may not be the strongest at math, but you’ve taken courses and shown initiative in improving.

Interview Question #3: What are your strengths? As with the other questions, when choosing your answer, keep the position you’re applying for and the skills they may be looking for in mind.

Interview Question #4: What are your salary expectations? Everyone feels awkward talking about salary, but chances are you’ll be asked what your expected income is. Do your research on the average salary for your position in your area prior to your interview so you don’t lowball yourself or ask for something unreasonable.

Interview Question #5: Where do you see yourself in five years? The company you’re interviewing for will likely want you to stick around, so they’ll want to know if you want to, too. This question will help them align your career goals with their goals as a company.

INTERVIEW PREP TIP #7: PREPARE YOUR OWN QUESTIONS

Not only should you be prepared to answer questions, but you should also be prepared to ask questions in an interview. This shows interest in the company and the position. Here are a few questions to ask in an interview.

Interview Question #1: What is the company culture like? If you aren’t able to find this online, make sure you ask! This will help you determine if the company is a good fit, and also let your potential employer know you care about the environment you’ll be working in.

Interview Question #2: What brought you to work here? Finding out your interviewer’s reasons for working with your company will create a personal connection and give you a better insight on if the company is right for you.

Interview Question #3: What’s your least favorite thing about your job? There are downsides to everything, and seeing how your potential employer handles this question will give you valuable insight.

Interview Question #4: What is a typical day like? If they haven’t already gone over this, make sure you know what your daily tasks will be!

Interview Question #5: Is there room for growth with this position? No one wants to stay in the same position forever. Is there room to move up down the road?

INTERVIEW PREP TIP #8: FOLLOW UP

A week after interviewing, if you haven’t heard back, send a follow-up email! This lets the company know you’re interested while reminding them you’re a potential candidate.

INTERVIEW PREP TIP #9: SEND A THANK YOU EMAIL

Speaking of following up, after interviewing, send a thank you email within 24 hours. Thank your interviewer for their time and remind them why you’re a great fit for the position.

INTERVIEW PREP TIP #10: NOTIFY YOUR REFERENCES

After interviewing, there’s a good chance your references will be contacted if things go well. Give them a heads up so they know to look out for a call or email!

INTERVIEW PREP TIP #11: Google yourself

Hop onto Google and do a social media cleanse (or make sure your accounts are on private). Keep in mind that your potential employer is likely researching you too, so you want to make sure everything looks clean and professional.

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