Step Ten: Ace Interviews

We’re on the final step of our Ten Part Series on Mastering Your Job Search in Ten Essential Steps. You can view previous steps along with an overview in the first post.

Don’t miss out on the previous steps in Mastering Your Job Search in 10 Essential Steps.

Don’t Leave Interviews to Chance

For some, who are great communicators, interviewing may seem like a breeze. They often think they can wing it.

For others, who would rather have a root canal than “sell” themselves in an interview, even thinking about an interview leaves much to be desired.

Regardless of where you find yourself, the old adage holds true: preparation is key.

Don’t wait until you have a scheduled interview to begin your preparation.

Preparing for Your Interview

Dress the Part

Interviews can be some of the most important events of your ongoing professional career. Looking your best will not only boost your confidence but it will also make a great impression on prospective employers, demonstrating that you are serious about your career.

At least a week before your interview, consider a haircut and make sure your professional outfit is appropriate, fits, and is clean.

Check out Step Nine: Dress the Part where I cover

Build a Career Wardrobe
The Role of Attire in Your Career
Maintain Your Personal Identity
Business Professional or Business Casual?

By taking the time to dress appropriately for important events, you not only enhance how others perceive you but also how you perceive yourself, creating a powerful cycle of confidence and competence.

Know Your Strengths

Be ready with a list of strengths with examples that demonstrate how you have gained or how you use each skill.

Countless times, I’ve received frantic calls from individuals needing last-minute interview assistance. I don’t recommend waiting until the eleventh hour to prepare for an interview. It can lead to unnecessary stress and missed opportunities.

10/10 Interview Prep Activity

Grab a piece of paper or pull up a blank document on your device
On one side of the page list ten skills that you possess AND are related to the position
- Look at your resume if you need help coming up with ten
- Think about past evaluations or compliments from friends and family about what you do well
Once you have your ten, put a line down the middle of the page

4. Opposite each skill you listed, write an example of a time you demonstrated that skill. These examples will serve as your arsenal of stories to draw from during the interview.

Be specific, don’t just put Communication and then put that you have done several presentations. Think about a specific presentation and what went well and add it.
Do this for every single one of the strengths you listed
Try to use a variety of examples and not keep using the same one for each skill

By completing this exercise, you’ll be equipped with concrete examples to showcase your abilities without repeating yourself. And if you find yourself pressed for time, this exercise can be completed quickly and effectively.

Know the Organization:

I’ve heard from employers over the years that one of their biggest pet peeves is when they interview a candidate who knows very little about the organization. With so much information readily available, this is hard to believe. When preparing for your interview be sure to research the following:

General History of the organization such as founding date and significant milestones
Mission and Values including the core principles and organizational culture
Organizational Leadership such as the key executives and their backgrounds
Main products, services, or solutions provided by the company
Recent developments and new launches
Major competitors and the company’s market share
Company policies, programs, and initiatives supporting diversity and inclusion.

Research Salary

Research salary data and determine your worth. Determine your salary needs based on your living expenses — what is your bottom line?

Watch for an upcoming post on Salary negotiation.

During the Interview

Employers are typically looking to answer three main questions about a candidate during an interview.

One: Can you do the job, and how well?

Throughout your interview, you must demonstrate your competence and experience, including your ability to learn new skills you may be missing.

Any chance you get, be sure to highlight relevant skills and experience by providing examples.

Two: Are you interested in the job?

It’s important for you to express genuine interest and enthusiasm for the position. Even if you are interviewing at multiple companies, during this interview you must believe that this is the only job you want.

Be able to talk about why your values align with their values and mission making you a great fit not only for the position but for the organization.

Show enthusiasm for the role and convey long-term interest. Even if you have plans down the road to do something else, act as if this is the only position you want.

Three: How well will you integrate into the existing team?

We often talk about the airport test. The “airport test” is based on a hypothetical scenario: if you were stuck in an airport for several hours due to a flight delay, would you enjoy spending that time with the candidate?

This test isn’t about technical skills or qualifications but rather about personal qualities and interpersonal skills. Be sure to convey yourself authentically while being pleasant and engaging. Don’t hesitate to show your positive attitude and sense of humor.

Demonstrate that you can hold a conversation comfortably and be a good listener by showing a genuine interest in others. Demonstrate empathy and consideration for others by treating everyone with respect and dignity.

Tell me a little bit about yourself

Possibly the most common question asked to begin an interview isn’t really a question, but a statement.

During so many interviews, I have heard people go back as far as where they were born and raised. Some list all of their family members including children and grandchildren. Others talk about their hobbies and so many other details. The problem is, none of this information will give a potential employer any information as to why they would want to hire you.

This is a great time to pull out your Elevator Pitch. We covered this in Step Four, Networking Effectively. Here is the gist.

An elevator pitch is a concise and compelling summary of your career situation, typically delivered in the time it takes to ride an elevator (around 30-60 seconds). In an interview, you can expand a bit more on each point.

Start with where you are now. Talk about what you are currently doing or have done most recently. Refrain from going back too far.

Example: I’ve been working in sales where I specialize in selling cutting-edge software solutions to small and medium-sized businesses. I thrive in this dynamic environment, consistently exceeding my sales targets and helping clients find the best technology to meet their needs.

Next talk about where you have been. Share your educational background, experiences, and skills that relate to your career goal.

Example: Before this role, I spent three years in retail sales, where I developed strong customer service skills and learned the importance of understanding customer needs. My time in retail taught me how to build rapport quickly and maintain long-term client relationships, which has been invaluable in my current position.

Lastly, include where you are going. Talk about why you are pursuing this position and field.

Example: Looking ahead, I’m eager to take on more responsibility and transition into a sales management role. I’m passionate about leading a team, sharing my expertise, and driving company growth through strategic sales initiatives.

Frequently Asked Interview Questions

Behavioral-Based Interviewing

The most common type of interview questions are Behavioral-Based Interview Questions. Organizations that use these types of questions believe that past behavior is an accurate predictor of future behavior. Recruiters concentrate many of their questions on situations that candidates have encountered in the past. What they want to hear is an illustration of your behavior.

To maximize the effectiveness of your answers, try using the STAR system.

S = Describe a situation.
T = Talk about the task.
A = Explain the action you took.
R = Talk about the positive results, quantifying if possible.

Behavioral-Based Interviewing Questions are asked frequently. I’ve included a printable PDF handout with several questions with tips on how to answer them. Take time to think about how you might answer all of them. Make notes or bullet points to help you refine your responses.

Interview Strategies and Frequently Asked Interview Questions (printable PDF)

Additional Interview Tips

Focus on the points you have prepared without sounding rehearsed.
A certain level of nervousness is normal and expected.
Try your best to relax and enjoy the conversation.
Learn what you can about the role and the organization.
Ask questions and listen; read between the lines to be sure this is also a good fit for you.
At the conclusion of your interview, thank the interviewer and ask about the next steps.
Be sure to get the contact info for everyone who interviewed you. You will send a follow-up thank you within 24 hours.

After the Interview

As soon as possible, write down what you are thinking and feeling. Later in the day, look at what you wrote and assess how you did.

Always write a follow-up thank-you email, reminding the interviewer of your qualities and anything you may have forgotten to say in the interview.

Parting Thoughts

Interviews are pivotal moments in your career journey. They offer a unique opportunity to showcase your skills, enthusiasm, and fit for the role.

Remember, preparation is not just about rehearsing answers but also about deeply understanding yourself and the organization.

The insights shared today—from crafting your 10/10 list to mastering the STAR method—are designed to empower you to present your best self. Think of each interview as a two-way street: while you’re demonstrating your capabilities, you’re also evaluating if the organization aligns with your career aspirations.

If you need help preparing for interviews or would like to practice interviewing, schedule an appointment at authentic-careers.com.

Don’t forget to check out the accompanying resources and posts for further guidance. Good luck, and remember, your career journey is uniquely yours—embrace it with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.

Join host Laura in this episode of Authentic Career + Life Design as she shares how to Ace Interviews. Listen to this and other episodes of Authentic Career + Life Design on your favorite podcast player:

Resources

See my Related Blog Posts

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