15 Tips to Prepare for a Job Interview

Looking for a new job this fall?

In addition to being well-qualified for the position, you’ll want to be prepared for your interview. This means polishing your resume, thinking about what you would contribute to the role, and considering how you’ll present yourself in those critical early discussions.

With that, here are 15 tips to prepare for your next job interview:

1. Learn about the company.

This may sound like a given, but you want to take at least a few hours to learn everything you can about the employer. You can reach out to trusted people in your network, read news releases about the company, and Google around as needed. While looking at the employer’s website is a given, you’ll want to turn to multiple sources. This will arm you with the intel you need to proceed with the interview.

2. Review the job posting.

So you’ve researched the company—but what about the job description? Reviewing the listing will help you understand where your own qualifications come into play for the interview. What skills, training, and experiences seem most relevant? What problems will the new hire be tasked with solving? Understanding the nuances of the role itself will take your interview prep to the next level.

3. Get to know the interviewers.

You don’t want to be caught off-guard. If the recruiter or hiring manager doesn’t tell you who will be conducting the interview, ask them. Explore each person’s position at the company, and understand where their expertise may come in both during the interview and afterward (in the event you’re hired). An anonymous LinkedIn profile view can work wonders in getting to know someone’s career history.

4. Consider the interview format.

Some companies prefer initial phone or video interviews, while others rely on an in-person format throughout the hiring process. Make sure you understand what you’re in for: a one-on-one conversation, a group discussion, or something else entirely. Inquiring about the interview format so that you can prepare accordingly is absolutely fair game. Resources like Glassdoor make this easier than ever.

5. Formulate your selling points.

No matter how much interviewing experience you have, you need to think about your unique selling points for this specific role. Is your creativity your greatest asset here? How about your crisis response abilities, or your clear and prompt communication? This is a solid opportunity to go back to your company research and see where your own skills come in. What makes you an ideal candidate?

6. Be upfront about your shortcomings.

In almost every interview, the hiring manager will ask you about your weaknesses. You need to think long and hard about what to share. Keeping silent, or saying something eye roll-inducing like how you simply work too hard, isn’t going to cut it. Identify an actual shortcoming you have, and then describe what you’re doing to address it. No one is perfect. Recognizing that is bound to resonate.

7. Articulate your interest in the company.

There is a 100% chance your interviewers will ask you about your interest in the position. You don’t need to prepare a canned response, but you do want to come up with a few key points you can share. You did apply for the role, after all—and you need to articulate why you made that decision. If there’s something about the job that aligns with your interests or working style, now’s the time to share it.

8. Jot down any questions you may have.

The final question most interviewers ask is this: “Do you have any questions for us?” It’s imperative that you have at least a few questions—both general ones about your start date, for example, and others that are specific to the role—on hand. Draft some of these questions in advance, even if you only ask a few of them during the interview. The hiring team will be pleased you came prepared.

9. Curate a list of references.

Regardless of whether the company is looking to make a quick hire, you want to be efficient. In most cases, the interviewers will request a handful of personal and professional references around the time of your interview. Keeping a reference list at the ready will help you move forward quickly. Be sure to make the necessary tweaks so that your reference list reflects the role you’re applying for.

10. Understand the company dress code.

Do a bit of internet sleuthing before your interview so that you understand the company dress code. You’ll want to dress for the interview the same way you would if you were a full-time team member, so think carefully about what to wear. If the dress code is unclear, always err on the side of caution. It’s better to be slightly too formal during your interview than it is to show up too casual.

11. Avoid talking poorly about your last employer.

No matter how tempting it may be, never talk badly about a former employer. Even if you were completely in the right about a toxic work environment, you want to tread lightly. Ideally, aim to present the issue objectively and describe how you worked to overcome a challenging situation. Play some mental gymnastics and, rather than talking about how awful a former role was for you, share what you learned.

12. Research your desired salary.

Conversations about money can be awkward—but they don’t have to be. To communicate your salary expectations, do a little bit of research on the market, the company, and any other variables at play. Find a reasonable number that you feel confident in, and disclose it when the time is right. A reminder that you can always negotiate when you receive an offer, so be sure not to low-ball yourself early on.

13. Perfect your body language.

Body language is an art. You want to be yourself. You want to be comfortable. But you don’t want to be too comfortable—nor do you want to come off too reserved. So what’s the answer? Here’s an idea: open body language. This means improving your posture and steering clear of closed gestures like crossing your arms, averting your eyes, or wringing your hands. Shoot for a quiet confidence, always.

14. Leave food and beverages at home.

You don’t have to leave drinks and snacks at home—but definitely keep them away from your interview. Bringing refreshments to a formal interview looks far too casual. Even if you grab a latte en route to the office most days, make other plans on interview day. The exception here is if your potential future employer offers you a beverage. Then, by all means, please feel free to accept it.

15. Set a reminder to thank the interviewers.

Always send a thank-you email to each person you spoke with during your interview. Request business cards during the interview if you can—or, contact the hiring manager for a list of email addresses after the fact. Set a reminder to write and send these thank-you emails within a day of the interview, and make sure each message is warm and personalized. This will make you a more memorable candidate.

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Hiring is a complicated process. There’s a lot that goes into it, and preparing for a job interview is an essential piece of the overall process.

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