Tips for Effective Interview Preparation

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   

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

95% of job seekers I meet prepare for interviews poorly (here's what to do instead) (1) RESEARCH Spend no more than 15 minutes doing research → Review the company values, culture, and latest product launch, that's it. (2) PREPARE Think of answers for the 3 most common interview questions (write down your answer in bullet point format!) → Tell me about yourself → Tell me about a time when you solved a problem → Tell me about a time something went wrong (3) PRACTICE This is what 95% of job seekers don't do, but makes the BIGGEST difference. → Practice your answers out loud. → Set a timer for 3 minutes (no answer should take longer than 3 min) → Practice each answer 5 times (don't memorize it, let it evolve with each repetition) (4) ASK The questions you ask an interviewer matter even more than the answers you give. → Prepare 5 "smart" questions to ask (see my recommended list below) (5) END STRONG Always end your interview by asking the following question: → "Was there anything I didn't cover in our conversation today you would have liked me to touch on?" ☝ That's how you truly prepare for an interview. Yes it takes more work than just doing research, but it will land you way more offers I promise! 👉 P.S. I'm running a 100% free interview workshop next week, if you're interested in learning some more techniques let me know below and I'll send you the invite. _

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 made this mistake during an interview, and it cost me a job I really wanted 😔 I once went into an interview without being ready to talk about my past achievements. When asked, I fumbled through vague answers and missed the chance to show my value. Here’s how to avoid this mistake: 1️⃣ Prep Specific Examples: Before the interview, list your key achievements and use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to explain them clearly. 2️⃣ Practice Your Pitch: Rehearse how you’ll talk about your successes. Make sure you can answer common questions with clear, impactful examples. 3️⃣ Know the Role: Research the job description and match your examples to what the role requires. Show how your past work fits perfectly. 4️⃣ Be Confident: Own your achievements and present them with confidence. You’ve earned it! Don’t let a lack of preparation cost you your dream job. Share your own interview tips in the comments. For more career advice and support, join the Clinical Research Referral Club (CRRC) today. #ClinicalResearch #InterviewTips #ClinicalTrials #CRRC

When I interviewed for, and landed my job at Amazon, I physically brought all 4 of the following items into the room 👇 1. A summarized copy of the Job Description I highlighted all of the critical skills, qualifications, and desired experiences. I referenced it during the interview to ensure my answers were delivering 'on target' examples. 2. A list of the "Corporate Leadership Principles" Interview rubrics typically focus on some combo of 1) hard skills, and 2) soft skills or character fit. Corporate values/principles (whatever they call them) are a good indication of "what good looks like" - and again, I referenced these throughout the interview - in addition to preparing examples that highlight them. 3. A blank piece of paper Obvious, but important. This is where I'd take notes during the discussion for anything I wanted to remember later. I'd also write down the questions, and quickly frame out my answers (using S.T.A.R.) prior to starting my responses. 4. My 'Micro-narrative' cheat sheet. Most of my interview prep goes into building a cheat sheet - that means creating a bulleted list of examples where I accomplished something, delivered value, or created results. Specific numbers/data can be difficult to remember during the interview, so having them prep'ed on paper makes it easier to give quantifiable evidence and tell an effective story. - - - *Disclaimer - having prepared examples does NOT mean I am reciting, or reading them off the page when I answer. Anyway, this approach has worked for me over the years. Feel free to try it out in your next interview! _________ Repost to share w/ others in your network ♻️ #interviewtips #jobsearchtips

I have done more than 150 interviews and 300+ mock interviews in my career Most candidates make the same mistakes. Let me save you some time:  1. Keep your answers concise and clear. Frameworks like STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) help you tell your story without losing focus. 2. You don’t need to memorize the company's history, but understanding their challenges and goals makes you stand out. 3. If you can’t explain why you want the job, they’ll move on to someone who can. Show them it’s more than “just another application.”  4. Interviewers don’t mind hearing about failures, they care about your growth. Show accountability and what you learned. 5. Numbers matter. Instead of “I improved processes,” say, “I improved processes, cutting turnaround time by 20%.” Specifics stick. 6. “Tell me about a time…” is coming. Prepare examples that show problem-solving, teamwork, and leadership. 7. If you don’t know the answer, think out loud. Interviewers often care more about how you think than whether you’re perfect. 8. You win bonus points when you answer “Tell Me About Yourself” well. Your answer sets the tone. Highlight your most relevant skills and why you’re the right fit. Don’t list your resume, be confident as you tell your story. 9. “Umm, no, I think you covered it” is the wrong answer. Prepare 2–3 good questions that show curiosity and engagement. 10. Interviewing is a skill. You can’t wing it and expect results. Practice with a friend, mentor, or mock interviewer, every round makes you sharper If you’d like to prepare for your next interview with an expert, let me know. Maybe I can help you. Share this post if you find it useful.

Got an interview? Here are my top ten interview prep steps that equate to success. Hi! I'm Laureen and I have interviewed 100K+ people in my career across all industries and positions from entry-level to Executive; in agency & executive search (for my clients), and corporate. 1. Research the Company Thoroughly review the company’s website, recent news, and social media presence. Understand the company’s mission, values, and recent achievements to show your genuine interest. 2. Understand the Job Description Analyze the job description in detail to identify key responsibilities and required skills. Match these with your experiences and prepare to discuss how you meet these qualifications. 3. Prepare Your Elevator Pitch Craft a brief summary of your background, skills, and what you bring to the role. Be ready to share this early in the interview to set a strong foundation. 4. Anticipate Common Questions Prepare answers to common interview questions, such as your strengths, weaknesses, and why you want the job. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses to behavioral questions. 5. Highlight Key Achievements Identify specific achievements from your past roles that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Be ready to discuss these accomplishments in detail, showcasing your impact. 6. Prepare Questions for the Interviewer Come up with thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company culture. This shows your interest and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you. 7. Practice, Practice, Practice Conduct mock interviews with a friend, mentor, or in front of a mirror. Practicing will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and build confidence. 8. Plan Your Attire Choose professional attire that aligns with the company’s culture. If you’re unsure, it’s safer to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. Even for a video interview. 9. Prepare for Technical Aspects If your interview includes a technical component, such as a coding test or case study, review relevant materials and practice beforehand. Make sure your tools are ready if it’s a virtual interview. 10. Prepare to Follow Up Plan to send a thank-you note after the interview, reiterating your interest in the role and highlighting a key point from the discussion. I recommend a LinkedIn connection request with a note. This can leave a positive impression on the interviewer. #interview #interviewprepartion #career #jobsearch

I’ve interviewed 400+ people in my career. With graduation season in full swing and so many people considering what’s next, here are 3 pieces of advice for candidates to differentiate themselves. 1. Connect the Dots  Don’t make me play detective. You want the job? Demonstrate how your experience, interests, and instincts line up with the role - explicitly. A 10-minute reverse chronological play-by-play of your resume isn’t the same as explaining how you’ll add value. I want to know what you’ll bring to our team, why you want the job, and how you’ll make an impact. When you can draw that line clearly, it changes the whole conversation. 2. Read the Room  Succinct > rambling. If I want to go deeper, I’ll ask follow up questions. Pay attention to body language, energy and curiosity. Don’t be afraid to pause and check in - asking, “did I answer your question?”, which shows both self-awareness and respect for time. 3. Send the Thank You (Same Day) It’s amazing how rarely this happens. It sounds simple, but it matters. It’s a small gesture that says: I appreciate your time, I’m invested in the opportunity, and I follow through. Short and sweet is fine. Pro tip - draft the note in advance and put the finishing touches after. Job hunting is hard, and career pivots are brave. But I've found these best practices help candidates shine - and I've applied them personally. What are your interviewing tips?

🚀 After interviewing thousands of candidates at #Duolingo, I've noticed three pitfalls that many don't realize they're falling into. Avoid these common mistakes to make a stronger impression: 1. Answer What's Asked It's tempting to use prepared answers, but interviewers can tell. 🕵♀️  Avoid launching into unrelated presentations or over-prepared responses. Listen to the question asked and tailor your answer to it. And don't open up a slide deck in the middle of the interview that nobody asked for. If you really want to share additional material, send it to the recruiter post-interview. 2. Allow the Interviewer to Lead Interruptions can disrupt the flow of the conversation. Make sure to let the interviewer complete their questions. Keep your answers concise to allow time for more questions, which shows your respect for the dialogue. If unsure about the length of your response, it's perfectly okay to pause and ask if they'd like more detail. 3. Be Open to Feedback During Task-Based Interviews Duolingo’s task-based interviews are about how you approach problems and adapt to feedback, not just about the solutions you propose. 🧠 Show your flexibility and collaborative spirit by being open to revising your strategies based on the feedback received. Remember, the journey to the solution often holds more value than the solution itself. By steering clear of these common missteps, you can enhance your performance and stand out as a candidate. Let’s make your next interview your best one yet! 💪  #InterviewTips #CareerAdvice #JobSearch