Interviewing & Next Steps

Some helpful tips to help you prepare for your interview:

Research the Company

1. Understand the Company’s Mission and Values:
   • Visit the company’s website and read about its mission, values, and culture.
   • Look for recent news articles or press releases about the company.
2. Know the Products or Services:
   • Familiarize yourself with what the company offers, including any recent developments or new products.
3. Study the Industry:
   • Understand the industry trends, competitors, and the company’s position within the market.

Know the Role

1. Review the Job Description:
   • Carefully read the job description and note the key responsibilities and required skills.
2. Match Your Skills:
   • Identify how your skills and experiences align with the job requirements.
   • Prepare specific examples that demonstrate your qualifications.

Practice Common Interview Questions

1. Behavioral Questions:
   • Prepare for questions like “Tell me about a time when…” using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result).
2. Technical Questions:
   • If the job is technical, review relevant concepts and practice problem-solving.
3. Questions about Your Experience:
   • Be ready to discuss your past roles, achievements, and what you learned from them.

Prepare Your Own Questions

1. About the Role:
   • Ask about specific duties, team structure, and expectations.
2. About the Company:
   • Inquire about the company’s culture, growth opportunities, and future plans.
3. About the Interview Process:
   • Clarify next steps and the timeline for the hiring process.

Practical Preparations

1. Resume and Documents:
   • Bring multiple copies of your resume, a list of references, and any other required documents.
2. Dress Appropriately:
   • Choose attire that matches the company’s dress code, erring on the side of professional if unsure.
3. Plan Your Journey:
   • Know the interview location and plan to arrive at least 10-15 minutes early.

Mental and Physical Preparation

1. Get Plenty of Rest:
   • Ensure you get a good night’s sleep before the interview.
2. Eat Well:
   • Have a healthy meal to keep your energy levels up.
3. Stay Positive and Confident:
   • Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing to stay calm.

Mock Interviews

1. Practice with Friends or Family:
   • Conduct mock interviews to get feedback and improve your responses.
2. Use Online Tools:
   • Utilize online resources or interview coaching services if available.

Follow Up

1. Send a Thank-You Note:
   • After the interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the position.

Next Steps Following Your Interview:

1. Follow up with an email
   • After your interview, plan to send a follow-up email to your interviewer (be sure to get their contact information during your interview if you don’t already have it!). A safe timeline for sending a follow-up email is within 24 hours of an interview. In the email, be sure to thank the interviewer for their time and let them know you’re available if they have any additional questions. If you remember any interesting topics discussed during the interview, be sure to include those details in the email in order to distinguish yourself from other candidates. 
2. Keep a record of who you spoke to during your interview and any additional information you learned about the company or position from your interview.
   • In the case that you have a follow up interview, it would be beneficial to know who you’ve already spoken to and to utilize some of the information you gained from your previous interview. 
3. Connect with your interviewer on LinkedIn & handshake.
   • Whether it is to build your network or keep in contact with your interviewer, it is beneficial for you to connect with them on LinkedIn. If you plan on reapplying to the company in the future, it will also help to maintain a relationship with your interviewer through the professional networking app in case you may want to reach out to them for future opportunities.