Interview tips to help get you hired

It's your time to shine

Even in a slow hiring market, interviews are still happening, and when you get the call, you want to feel ready. This post shares some of my strongest behind-the-scenes strategies so you can approach your upcoming interview feeling your best.

Preparation is everything

I’ve hired staff for my own teams and for organizations through consulting, and I can always tell who has taken the time to prepare. It really sets top candidates apart. Most importantly, it helps you feel more comfortable and confident.

One of the most frequent questions I receive is how to ‘not ramble.’ Gathering your thoughts ahead of time and doing some research on the company will help you think through your work history and responses in advance, rather than talking it through or thinking out loud during the interview.

You want to use the interview to build rapport and also to highlight the core things you bring to the table, and preparation really helps with this.

Look up who you will be interviewing with

Usually, the recruiter will provide the name and title of who you’ll be meeting with. Look them up in Google and/or LinkedIn to find out a little bit about their professional path and get a sense of their personality and work/leadership style.

For example, if they are in a more data-driven or operations role, you may want to present your interview responses in a more concrete top-level way, incorporating metrics.

If your interviewer is in a role like marketing, branding, or interacts with customers/clients, you may want to frame your answers in a narrative format, highlighting things like collaboration.

One note of caution: we all present differently online, so if you happen to see a more serious profile photo or something else that catches your attention, be mindful of any perceptions or assumptions. Remember to keep an open mind for your upcoming interview conversation, just as you would want them to do for you.

‘Tell me about yourself…’  Write it out and practice for your comfort

Almost everyone dreads this question. The good news is we know it’s coming, so it’s one question you can fully prepare for. It’s usually first, so you can start the interview on a great note. This question may also be asked as ‘So, walk me through your resume…’ Keep in mind, you do not need to chronicle your background in detail; you can still use a synthesized Tell Me About Yourself (TMAY) response.

It’s a good idea to keep your TMAY response to 1-3 minutes, and by writing it out and practicing it, you’ll give a solid, natural-sounding answer that will wow them in the first few minutes.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to memorize your answer; writing it out ensures you convey the most relevant points for this particular role and allows them to get to know you a bit, while conveying friendliness and warmth that shows them you would be a great addition to the team.

There are many good ways to structure your TMAY response. One strategy that I use with clients is a past-present-future framework:

We’re so happy to talk with you today. Before we dive into our questions, why don’t you tell us a little about yourself…

'Sure! I’ve always been interested in (relevant subject to the role) [or My career/professional path has involved (relevant subject to the role) for many years]…and I’ve worked at some really great places (or with great clients) such as (name a few).

I’m currently (or recently) a (title/function) at (company) and have led (or collaborated on) some great projects and initiatives, such as (briefly name one or two – you’ll have time to go into detail later) that I’m really proud of.

When I saw this (title/function) role at (company where you’re interviewing), I was so excited and knew I had to apply. It combines (mention a few key relevant interests or skills) that I have (or have developed), and this position seems like a perfect fit for my background. I also appreciate that (company) has core values such as (name one or two) because that’s really important to me, also. So it really seems like the stars aligned, and I’m excited to learn more about this opportunity from you today.'

Give a friendly smile, pause, and let the conversation come back to them. The above sample structure also helps to prime the conversation since you just summarized how well you fit this position. (For more on TMAY, check out my previous blog post – readers have made it one of the highest-viewed posts I've written.)

There will likely be a brief silence from the interviewer (especially if you’re in a pre-screen phone call) as they take notes or process what you just said. Often, they’re not used to someone sharing in such a clear, succinct way. Talking about which parts are meaningful to you also adds authenticity.

Prepare a few go-to examples

Think back to some of your favorite projects that are relevant to the role you’re interviewing for. Ones you’re proud of and would enjoy or be okay talking about and answering any follow-up questions. Try to come up with 3-5 core, tangible examples that showcase some of the skills or potential projects this opportunity is asking for. This way, when they say, ‘Tell us about a time when you…,’ you’ll be ready to go.

Anticipate questions you’ll be asked

Working with a coach can make a significant difference with this particular strategy. For example, I can often anticipate 70–80% of the questions my clients are likely to face in a given round, and I also help them plan for the unexpected ones. If a coach isn’t an option, you can practice with a trusted mentor, or use resources like internet searches, AI platforms, LinkedIn Learning, or books. My all-time favorite is 101 Toughest Interview Questions: And Answers That Win the Job! by Daniel Porot and Frances Bolles Haynes. This book is also available in most public libraries.

Rooting for you

I hope this helps get you started and makes your prep a little easier. I’ll be doing a future blog post with some tech tips and personal styling on what to wear for your interviews, as well as how to handle a selection process with multiple rounds of interviews.

Until then, I wish you the very best of luck on your interviews and job search. Any company would be lucky to have you.

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