How to Prepare for Final Job Interview Rounds

I've interviewed 100s of people for 6-figure roles. (Here's what nobody tells you...) It's not the most qualified candidate who gets the job. It's the best prepared for the interview. How to prep like the top 1%: 1. Research the company like you already work there. ↳ Know their challenges, victories, and latest news. 2. Practice your answers out loud. ↳ What sounds good in your head may not when spoken. 3. Prepare 3 specific stories that showcase your skills. ↳ Focus on your adaptability and leadership. 4. Study the job description. Find the top 3 skills they want. ↳ Then craft examples proving you have them. 5. Do a mock interview with a trusted person. ↳ Someone who will give you honest feedback. 💡 And 7 questions to ask that make YOU stand out: 99% of candidates ask basic questions at the end. Don't waste this opportunity to impress! Ask these instead: ➟ What does success look like in the first 90 days? ➟ What are the biggest challenges facing the team that I could help solve? ➟ How would you describe the management style of the person I'd be reporting to? ➟ What distinguishes your top performers from everyone else? ➟ How does the company support professional development and growth? ➟ What made YOU decide to join this company, and what keeps you here? ➟ What do new employees find surprising after they start? The best candidates don't just answer questions. They create meaningful conversations. Remember: Interviews are a two-way street. You're evaluating them just as much as they are you. You spend 90,000 hours of your life at work. Choose a company and manager that support your growth. Your career will thank you. P.S. What's your best tip for nailing your interview? Share in the comments to help others prepare. ♻️ Valuable? Repost to share with your network. 🔖 Follow Justin Wright for more on career success. Want my 80 best cheat sheets? Get them here for free: BrillianceBrief.com   

One of the things that brings me so much satisfaction in my work with SheFi is helping candidates connect the dots about how to be more effective in their job search and interview processes. Our recent #interview skills workshop was a big hit, with some key takeaways worth sharing more broadly. → Practice your elevator pitch: Be prepared to spend no more than 2-3 minutes sharing a clear picture of your career history, what you’re seeking next, and why you are a fit for the role you’re seeking. No, really. Practice! Clearly articulating your value, experience and career goals at the outset can set the tone for the rest of the interview. → Throughout the interview, be mindful of time. This one commonly trips people up – it’s better to answer a question with a high level overview, pause and say something like “happy to expand on this”, then to ramble with no awareness of time, which flies quickly, especially in a 30-minute interview. It’s natural to be nervous, but rambling can kill an interview. Again, practicing ahead of time can make all the difference! → Have a few STAR stories ready to share. That stands for Situation-Task-Action-Result. This helps your interviewer understand your real experiences about how you’ve solved problems and created impact. These questions usually start with “Tell me about a time when…” or “Share an example of how…”. Include concrete examples and measurable results. These can be challenging to answer on the fly, so spend time preparing. → Be ready to discuss your strengths & weaknesses. Most of us have some idea of our strengths, but it can feel uncomfortable to shine a light on weaknesses. A great way to approach this is to think of your areas of growth. We all have them, and usually the interviewer is seeking to learn more about your self awareness than your weaknesses. → Lastly, have a few thoughtful questions ready, showing your interest in the role and the company. Don’t ask anything that you could easily find on the internet. If you’ve been selected for an interview, CONGRATS! You’re already rising above others in a competitive market. Hoping these tips will help you move to the next round, and eventually, the offer!

I’ve looked at 100+ resumes and interviewed dozens of candidates over the last 3 months. Meeting candidates is one of my favorite parts of what I do. Yet so many people show up for an interview without having prepared to stand out and be relevant to the opportunity. So I want to share my process, in the hopes that it helps those going through interviews right now. And share what candidates who stand out do. First, before every interview I do a few things. I know candidates are taking their time to apply and then show up for several interviews. Interviews are a two-way street, and as a hiring manager I do my part too. Here are a few ways hiring managers can prepare, with a social media lens as that’s what I hire: 1. Read the resume, cover note if there’s one. 2. Visit their LinkedIn profile, posts and conversations. And the rest of their social footprint. 3. Explore the social media feeds of their current/past companies. 4. Experience their past company cultures on social media. 5. Research accomplishments and accolades highlighted in the resume. Now it’s your turn. Want to stand out and get the offer? Here are six things I look for: 1. Learn about the company you’re interviewing with so you can integrate relevant points for the role into the conversation. Example, if you’re applying for a social media role, look at the company’s social channels and come prepared to demonstrate your skills, highlight something that resonates, ask questions, etc. 2. Slow down, it’s not about answering questions the fastest. It’s about demonstrating that you’re a direct fit for the role through your answers. If you’ve not done it before that’s ok. Show your interviewer that you’re prepared to do it. 3. Share why you want this role at this company. Shared values? Connection to colleague culture? Speak to how it connects into your career goals, etc. 4. Lead with your skills and how they equip you to deliver results and impact for what the job description outlines. You may not have direct experience but skills are transferable, put that front and center. 5. Demonstrate that you understand the strategy behind your work, IE the ‘why.’ By doing this you show how your goals align to your team’s goals which align to your company’s goals. It speaks to your growth mindset, and that separates you from the pack. 6. Focus your resume to emphasize your skills and relevant experiences in relation to the job accountabilities. No relevant experience? That’s ok, lead with headlines that put your transferable skills front and center. Applying for job opportunities and the interview process can be can be stressful and intimidating. But when you get that interview it’s your time to shine! What tip can you add to help candidates land their next career experience? Please share in comments. #career #futureofwork #interviewtips #jobsearch

I've been helping a family friend who recently graduated college prep for her first round of job interviews—and wow, I was shocked to learn her college career services team focused heavily on creating ATS-friendly resumes (not really a thing, IMO) and barely touched on interview prep—especially the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), which is absolutely critical for telling your story clearly and effectively. Here's some things we covered: Don’t memorize answers—build stories. Think of 4–5 key experiences you’ve had (projects, challenges, leadership roles) and map them to the STAR structure. Lead with the result. Especially in fast-paced interviews, highlight the outcome upfront to grab attention before diving into the details. Keep it concise. 2–3 minutes max per story. If you’re rambling past that, you’re losing your interviewer. Check for visual cues. Align with the job. Review the job description and prep stories that demonstrate the skills and qualities they’re looking for. Practice out loud. It’s one thing to know your stories—it’s another to say them clearly and confidently. Another tip I often share with job seekers is if the interview is virtual, consider hiding your own video or putting a sticky note over your video to avoid the inclination to stare at yourself as you speak and train your eyes to the camera instead.

This is the interview prep doc that helped me land a Public Relations Internship at Ulta Beauty in 2021, as a graduating senior with a Maternal and Child Health degree. This is the same template that has landed me interviews and offers at TikTok, Twitter, and Penguin Random House. I have my interview prep down to a science. Here's how I organize my notes to set me up for success: Recently, I shared my go-to interview prep research strategies: https://lnkd.in/g7z8YaHf but here's how I organize that information: 1. Notes on the role and company 2. Notes on my interviewer 3. What past work experiences of mine are relevant to the role and what are 1-3 stories from each of these roles that could potentially be an answer to a behavioral question that may be asked? (Link to 30 common behavioral questions in the comments) 4. What are things I MUST bring up? Whether it's experiences I want to elaborate on, or important clarifying questions about the role, I make sure to note it so I don't forget. 5. What are the questions I want to ask? A lot of people aren't asking questions during their interviews, make sure you're not one of them. I usually gather a list of 3-5 questions to ask, categorizing them by questions related to the role, the interviewer, and company culture. Some of my favorite interview questions to ask are ⭐ "What brought you to this particular company and what has kept you here?" ⭐ "What does success look like in this position, and how do you measure it?" ⭐ "What are the most important things you'd like to see someone accomplish in the first 30/60/days on the job" ⭐ Curating specific questions I may have after reading the job description Want more #earlycareer content on your TL? Follow Jade Walters on here and IG/Tik Tok (@theninthsemester) #theninthsemester #interviewprep #interviewtips #interviewing #interview

My journey to #Google included interviews at #Amazon, #Meta, #PayPal, #Uber, #Pinterest and others. Here are my top tips to help you prep for your next interview: 1. Pre-Interview Prep is KEY: You should be preparing now—before the role is even posted, before you press apply! - Identify impactful projects: Choose projects where you made a real difference and can showcase your skills. - Practice out loud: Rehearse your answers, record yourself, and listen back. This helps refine your delivery and identify areas for improvement. 2. "Tell Me About Yourself" - Your 60-Second Story. Instead of just summarizing your resume, think of this as your chance to tell a concise and engaging story about your career journey. Highlight your: - Past experiences: Briefly touch on relevant roles and accomplishments. - Present skills and qualities: Emphasize your strengths and how they align with the role. - Future aspirations: Connect your #careergoals to the company's #mission. 3. Master the STAR Method: You'll hear me mention this A LOT! That's because the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) is what helped me succeed in my interviews and achieve my career goals. - Structure is your friend: For every behavioral question ("Tell me about a time when..."), use the STAR method to tell a clear and impactful story. - OWN your accomplishments: Use "I" statements to highlight your individual contributions. Don't be shy about showcasing your impact! In my mock interview sessions, I hear so many people say "we" when talking about group projects. Remember to focus on what you specifically did. 4. Ask Insightful Questions: ALWAYS ask questions to your interviewer! - Avoid generic questions about company culture. Instead, ask questions that demonstrate your strategic thinking and interest in the role, such as: - How will success be measured in this role? - What are some of the top challenges (internal and external) the team faces? - What are the focus areas for the next year? Key Takeaways: - Preparation is essential: Invest time in pre-interview prep, even BEFORE you have an interview scheduled. - Structure your answers: Use the STAR method to tell compelling stories and showcase your #impact. - Ask insightful questions: Demonstrate your strategic thinking and genuine interest in the role. - Interview prep is an ongoing process: Practice with friends, use #AI-powered tools like Final Round AI, career.io, and Huru - AI Job Interview Preparation App for feedback, and continuously refine your skills. #interviewtips #jobsearch #careerhacks #interviewprep #STARmethod #myjourneyintech #interviewsuccess #journeytotech #blackintech #AIInterviewPrep

I've interviewed 150+ job candidates, here's what I've learned. About 90% of them were qualified. About 15% of them actually interviewed well. About 5% of them got the job. The problem for the ones that didn't get the job? - They were unprepared - They lacked confidence Most people prep by researching the company, but that's not enough. Research will not give you confidence. A lot of people assume that people are born confident, but that's not true. Confidence is learned by doing things you're scared of and slowly figuring them out. The best candidates I met had actually PRACTICED for their interviews. It's embarrassing and scary to practice for your interviews, but it's what will actually make a difference. 👉 HERE'S WHAT TO DO: 1. Setting a timer for 3 minutes 2. Google "10 most common interview questions" 3. Practice your answer to the question 5 times in a row 4. Move on to the next question and repeat You'll be amazed at the progress you'll make in even 30 minutes. So remember, confidence is not something you have or don't have. It's learned. 👉 Courage creates confidence. Take that small courageous act and start practicing today. P.S. Do you practice for your interviews? If so, what do you do?

At the risk of exposing myself as a huge nerd... I'll admit that I love escape rooms. In fact, during the pandemic, my husband and I + another couple friend visited most of the escape rooms in the tri-city Research Triangle Park area. Not to brag, but we never entered a room we couldn't escape. Escape rooms have taught me one thing: never underestimate the power of thinking outside the box—or the book. I once encountered a puzzle where the page numbers in a dog-eared book were the secret combination to unlock a door. I encourage my clients to treat interview preparation like they would an escape room. Every detail matters. You want to dive in and learn everything that you can about the company and the opportunity before you interview. I encourage my clients to: - Read the LinkedIn profiles of every person on the selection team - Listen to earnings call - Read the annual letter to shareholders from the CEO to learn about key focus areas and areas of opportunity - Review the Mission Statement, identify their community commitments (if they have them) and read their ERG and Sustainability philosophy - Talk to people who have worked at the organization and who have left ⏫⏫ ⬆️⬆️ This *sounds* like a lot of work, but you'll learn a lot in this process. You'll be able to speak to the organization using THEIR language. You'll come across more prepared and engaged. Preparation breeds confidence. Articles in comments to support your job search preparation. #interview #interviewtips #escaperooms

Ever walked out of an interview thinking, “I could’ve answered that so much better” 🤔 ? Yeah, me too. The truth is, most of us don’t fail interviews because we’re not good enough, we fail because we don’t know how to communicate our value the right way. And I learned this the hard way. Back when I first started preparing for interviews, I thought “just be yourself” was enough. But reality hit me fast. Interviews are a skill, and like any skill, you get better with practice. One resource that helped me a lot was The Interview Guide School by Jason Kwok Yuan Long. I’ve had it for a long time. Here are some helpful tips you can take note of: 🔹 Stop “describing” your experience, start proving your impact. Saying “I managed projects” isn’t enough. Instead, say: ➡️ “I led a team of 5 to complete a project 2 weeks ahead of schedule, saving 20% in costs.” Show the numbers, show the impact. 🔹 Nail the “Tell me about yourself” question. This is NOT your autobiography. Think of it as your 30-second personal brand pitch: ✅ Who you are professionally ✅ What you bring to the table ✅ Why they should care 🔹 Confidence is built before the interview I used to overthink every answer, but preparation changed everything. Record yourself, practice with a friend, or even talk to yourself in the mirror (yes, I’ve done this). The more you practice, the less your nerves control you. 🔹 Ask smart questions because you’re also interviewing them. At the end of the interview, don’t just sit there waiting to be dismissed. Ask: ❓ “What are the biggest challenges in this role?” ❓ “How do you define success in the first 6 months?” It shows confidence and makes them remember you. At the end of the day, interviews are about impressing people with how well you fit the role. Agree? Happy Webnesday & stay safe ❤️

Five strategies that transformed my interview preparation game: - deep dive into company DNA. You have to obsess over the company's mission and envision your potential impact. This passion shines through in interviews - interviewer intel is gold. Research the interviewer's background, crafting questions that showcase genuine interest and create a memorable connection - newsletter ninja. Subscribe to company newsletters, absorbing recent news. This insider knowledge helps you speak their language - question prediction mastery. Tailor your prep for each interview stage - recruiter, manager, or team. STAR and CARL methods are secret weapons for behavioral questions - mind-body balance is key. Prioritize exercise, walks, and time in nature. Stepping away from prep anxiety boosts your interview readiness Remember, thorough preparation builds confidence. But don't forget to let your authentic self shine through. 🙏🏾