Interview Preparation Techniques: Ultimate New Guide
Hey there, beautiful soul! Y’all, grab your coffee (or if you’re like me, your third cup of tea), because we’re about to dive deep into interview preparation, and I mean DEEP.
After spending over a decade as a Fortune 500 recruiter and now running my own career coaching business (plus that Master’s degree from Texas A&M in Human Resources that my daddy is still so proud of), I’ve seen it ALL. The good, the bad, and the “oh honey, no” moments that I wish I could erase from my memory.
Today I am here to help you with the ultimate interview preparation techniques to help you land your dream job!
Why You Should Trust My Interview Advice
Listen up, because this is important: I’ve sat through more than 3,000 interviews in my career. That’s not a humble brag – that’s me telling you I’ve literally seen every possible interview scenario you could imagine. From the candidate who brought their mother to the interview (please don’t) to the rock star who negotiated a $50K higher salary than the original offer.
I’ve been there, documented that, and now I’m sharing all my secrets with you. From job interview advice to interview research and job search preparation, I am here to help you wow hiring managers and stand out from other candidates. I have helped countless candidates practice interviewing for the interview process and helped candidates leave a positive impression on potential employers.
My Journey from Corporate Recruiter to Career Coach
Y’all, let me tell you something straight up – I used to be that corporate recruiter who had to deliver the “we’ve decided to go with another candidate” news, and it broke my heart every single time. That’s exactly why I decided to switch sides and become a career coach.
Because here’s the truth bomb: most candidates aren’t failing because they’re not qualified – they’re failing because nobody taught them how to showcase their amazingness in an interview.
You should go into every interview with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, and dress appropriately for potential employer team members. A job interview is a way for you to highlight your relevant skills and be the dream candidate to fill that stubborn job description.
Interview Preparation Techniques: The Success Formula
Research Like a Detective
Okay, here’s where I’m going to get real with you – that surface-level Google search isn’t going to cut it anymore, friends. When I was recruiting for Fortune 500 companies, I could tell within the first five minutes who had done their homework and who had just skimmed the company’s homepage for their job interview.
Quick hint, the hiring process and interviewing process involves more than just answering questions that align with the job description.
Company Deep Dive Strategy
Here’s what you’re going to do before your job interview (and yes, this is non-negotiable):
- Read the last four quarterly earnings reports (if it’s a public company)
- Follow their social media accounts (ALL of them)
- Set up Google alerts for the company name.
- Research their competitors
- Find their employees on LinkedIn and see what they’re posting about
- Practice answering common interview questions and showcase your most relevant skills
I had a client who took this advice so seriously, that she knew about a major company initiative before her interviewer did. She got the job on the spot. That’s what I’m talking about! Job interviews don’t have to be scary, you just have to be prepared. Take my advice and you can ace your next job interview too!
Mastering the “Tell Me About Yourself” Question
Y’all, this is where I see even the most qualified candidates crash and burn. Let me share something that changed my life – and the lives of hundreds of my clients. I call it the “Past-Present-Future Formula,” and it WORKS.
The Secret 3-Part Formula I Teach My Clients
Here’s the tea: Your answer should be structured like this:
- Past: “I spent 5 years developing my project management skills at…”
- Present: “Currently, I’m focusing on leading cross-functional teams…”
- Future: “I’m looking for an opportunity to…”
Keep it to 90 seconds max. Yes, I’m serious. Time yourself practicing this in the mirror. I know it feels awkward (everything worthwhile feels awkward at first), but trust me on this one. You want to make a good impression by being able to listen carefully and answer the interviewer’s questions with specific examples.
Common Mistakes That Make Recruiters Cringe
Let me tell you about the time a candidate spent 15 minutes telling me about their high school achievements… and they were applying for a senior management position. Bless their heart. Here’s what NOT to do:
- Don’t start with your birth story (yes, this has happened)
- Skip the chronological life history.
- Avoid personal information that’s not relevant to the job.
- If you are feeling nervous, act as confident as you can
- Avoid dressing casually, dress code rules are important for the company’s culture fit
The STAR Method – Your New Best Friend
Y’all, if there’s one thing you take away from this guide, let it be this: The STAR method is your interview bestie.Situation, Task, Action, Result. Write it on your bathroom mirror. Tattoo it on your arm (okay, maybe not that last one).
Breaking Down the STAR Framework
Here’s how to use it:
- Situation: Set the scene
- Task: Explain what you need to do
- Action: Share what you actually did
- Result: Brag about those outcomes, honey!
Story Banking: Building Your Interview Arsenal
This is where the magic happens. You need at least:
- 3 leadership stories
- 3 problem-solving examples
- 3 achievement highlights
And yes, I want you to write these down. All of them. In detail.
Body Language Secrets from the Other Side of the Table
Can we talk about body language for a hot minute? Because y’all, I’ve seen candidates with perfect answers lose jobs because their body language was saying “I’d rather be anywhere but here.”
The Power Pose Technique
Listen, I know you’ve probably heard about power posing before, but here’s why it actually works – and I’ve got the recruitment data to prove it. Before every interview I conducted, I could tell which candidates had done their confidence prep work.
Virtual Interview Body Language Tips
Listen up, because this is crucial in our post-pandemic world. When you’re interviewing virtually, the rules are totally different but just as important. Here’s what most people don’t realize: you need to position your camera at eye level (please, no more up-the-nose angles!), and sit about an arm’s length away from your screen. I had a client who was nailing her interviews technically but kept getting passed over until we fixed her virtual setup – she was sitting so far back she looked like she was in another zip code!
Remember, your body language should say “I’m confident, engaged, and excited to be here” before you even say a word. And for heaven’s sake, please keep those hands where we can see them – no under-the-desk fidgeting! Nothing ma
Questions That Make You Stand Out
Stop me if you’ve heard this one: “What’s your company culture like?” yawn
Let’s get creative! Here are some questions that have made me put candidates straight in the “yes” pile:
- “I noticed your company just launched X initiative. How will that affect this department’s priorities over the next year?”
- “What’s the biggest challenge the team has faced this quarter, and how did they overcome it?”
- “Can you tell me about a project this team is particularly proud of?”
Avoid the common interview questions as much as you can. Assessment centre test banks are great but give very generic questions for interview prep. Your interviewer wants to see a fun and engaging candidate.
The Post-Interview Game Plan
Y’all, the interview isn’t over when you walk out that door (or end that Zoom call). Here’s what you need to do:
Follow-Up Email Templates That Work
I’m going to give you the exact template that’s helped my clients land their dream jobs after job interviews:
“Dear [Name],
Thank you for taking the time to discuss the [Position] role with me today. Our conversation about [specific topic you discussed] really excited me about the opportunity to bring my experience in [relevant skill] to your team.
[Add one brief reminder of how your experience aligns with their needs]
I look forward to hearing about the next steps in the process.
Best regards, [Your name]”
Send this within 24 hours. No exceptions!
Final Thoughts: You’ve Got This!
Look, friend – I know interviews can feel scarier than a Texas tornado, but you’ve got this. You’ve got me in your corner, you’ve got these strategies in your back pocket, and most importantly, you’ve got everything it takes to land that dream job.
Remember what I always say: “Preparation meets opportunity equals success.” It’s not just a cute saying – it’s the truth I’ve seen play out thousands of times in my career.
And hey, if you’re feeling overwhelmed right now, that’s okay! Take a deep breath, pick one section of this guide to focus on today, and just start there. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is interview confidence.
Now go show them what you’re made of, superstar! And if you need a cheerleader in your corner, well, you know where to find me!
Your Burning Interview Questions – Answered!
Y’all, I get hundreds of DMs every week about interviewing, and these questions keep popping up more than spring bluebonnets in Texas. Let’s tackle them head-on!
Q: How early should I arrive for my interview?
A: Here’s my golden rule: Arrive 15 minutes early to the building, but don’t check in until 7-10 minutes before your scheduled time. Any earlier and you’ll make the interviewer feel rushed; any later and you’re cutting it too close. And please, if you’re super early (which I love!), wait in your car or find a nearby coffee shop. Trust your career coach on this one!
Q: What if I don’t know the answer to a technical question?
A: Listen up, because this is IMPORTANT! Instead of panicking or making something up (please don’t!), use my trusty three-step approach:
- “That’s an interesting question…”
- “While I haven’t encountered that specific scenario, here’s how I would approach it…”
- Then walk them through your problem-solving process. Recruiters often care more about HOW you think than if you know every single answer!
Q: Should I send a handwritten thank-you note or an email?
A: In today’s fast-paced world, send that email within 24 hours! While your mama raised you right with those handwritten notes (and they’re lovely), most hiring decisions are made way too quickly to wait for snail mail. HOWEVER – if you really want to stand out, do both! Email first, then follow up with a handwritten note.
