How to prepare for a job interview (the right way)!

We all know this is true – you must prepare to perform well in your job interview.

Yet every time I post a video, someone’s sure to say:

“I don’t need to prepare. I just wing it and do fine”

Sure, some confident types think they can just wing it. Recruiters can usually spot them from a mile away. But if I were interviewing for that ideal job, I’d probably invest more than a cursory glance at the job posting.

But interview preparation can be daunting, and there’s a fine line between prep and over-preparation. So, I’m here to share how to prepare for a job interview (the right way).

Now, let’s dive in.

How to prepare for an interview

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Tip #1: Read the job posting carefully

So much magic happens in the job posting. Think of it as your personal cheat sheet.

All the details you’ll need are stored there – so make sure you’re paying close attention to what’s listed.

As you dissect the posting, carefully consider any relevant keywords, phrases, or technologies. These will give you insight into how the company does business.

If you need to brush up on terminology, ensure you do so before the interview. (*Youtube, TikTok, and/or Google are your friends here!)

You don’t want to be caught off-guard not knowing certain terminology or being incorrect about something. It’s better to say you don’t know than to flub an answer.

And be sure to look for competencies, as those could be used in interview questions. If you want to know how to prepare for an interview, the job description should be your best friend.

PS…if you want to learn how to expertly leverage the job description to your advantage, check out the
48-Hour Interview Crash Course!

Tip #2: Check LinkedIn

LinkedIn is also an important component of your interview prep – especially for professional jobs (vs blue-collar). You can learn company news, press releases, and employee engagement activities.

And perhaps even more importantly, you’ll be able to see who’s in which role. Be sure to look up your interviewers and be familiar with their profiles. Note how long they’ve been there, what they do, and where they came from.

You’re looking for commonalities – those oh-so-important icebreakers. And it will give you some insight into why they are even interviewing you to begin with.

If you’re particularly motivated, you can contact former employees to see if they can spill the beans. You may end up with some insider details that can help you impress.

​READ: Master your interview with these strategies​

Tip #3: Visit the corporate website

Next up, visit the corporate website.

We’ll be interested in visiting the following pages:

• The division you’ll be interviewing for
• The “about” page
• The careers page
• The core values (if applicable)

The goal is to learn what you can about the company and role before the interview. This isn’t solely to impress the interviewer but also to glean an advantage.

Get familiar with big developments and anticipate how your role may impact them. Show you understand the big picture.

And, of course, use those core values to prepare answers to possible questions!

Tip #4: Review sites

Make sure you head to Comparably, Glassdoor, and other review sites to check out the company. Be on the lookout for trends, reputation red (or green) flags, and things you may want to dig into a bit deeper in the interview.

These sites often have peer-contributed interview reviews as well. So you’ll know what to expect before you walk in the door. Try to find interview questions that others were asked before you.

You can learn a ton about the employer before walking in the door with review sites.

Pro tip: Look for fake reviews by suspicious dates. But remember that people often only review then they’re upset, not satisfied.

Tip #5: Clarify your stories

You know that job posting you studied earlier? You should have found out what they’re interested in.

(hint: look at the requirements section).

You want to start creating interview stories for them.

Spend a few minutes jotting down your thoughts on how you demonstrated what they’re looking for.

Don’t obsess over details – the main thing is getting your thoughts together. Try to recall measurable results if you want to impress the interviewer.

Storytelling is one the most important aspects of interviewing, and you don’t want to wing it here!

Preparing for your interview will help you succeed

You’ll give yourself a leg up on the competition with careful preparation. And you’ll be able to walk into the interview with a greater sense of confidence.

Remember, if you’re invited to interview, it’s because they already think you could be a fit for the job. Be confident and know you belong in the room!

You can do this!

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Whenever you’re ready, there are 2 ways I can help you:

1 – If you’re still looking for traction in your business, I’d recommend starting with an affordable course:

​Resume Rocketfuel: This best-selling course will teach you the exact system I use to help you write your own professional-quality resume quickly and easily.

​The Ultimate Jobseeker Bootcamp: This A-to-Z guide takes you from job search all the way to offer negotiation, providing detailed, recruiter-proven strategies. Don’t leave a single dime on the table ever again!

​Unlocking LinkedIn: Walks you step-by-step on how to set up a profile for maximum discoverability, techniques for accessing the hidden job market, and how to cut in front of the long application lines!

2. Gain extra personalized clarity with private 1×1 coaching ​
Have a specific question or strategy that requires more tailored help? I offer limited private coaching sessions. My clients have had too many “ah ha!” moments to count.

Happy hunting!

-Bryan