5 Things I Tell Every Candidate Before an Interview

Preparing for an interview can be overwhelming. It doesn’t have to be. A few days before the big day, set some time aside to focus on these activities, then set it all aside so that you can go into your meeting feeling prepared and at ease.

This article is one of my most popular, and there’s a reason for it: this approach works.

Do your homework - no excuses

Show that you’ve invested time into understanding the opportunity in front of you by researching your prospective employer’s senior staff, finances, board, programs or business lines. If the organization or its key staff has been in the news or online discussions recently, know about it. Being able to comfortably and confidently discuss recent happenings within and surrounding the organization shows that you’re taking the opportunity seriously.

Know how to frame yourself and do it quickly

One of the most common first questions interviewers ask is “so tell me about yourself.” Have a one minute description of your professional self (and how you got where you are) practiced and at the ready. The description should highlight your experience and accomplishments as they’re relevant to the job. Why only one minute? Too many people lose themselves in the answer to this simple questions - if you aren’t careful, what feels like a three-minute introduction devolves into 10, at which point you’ve lost your audience. Keeping it short and focused shows the interviewer that you’ve put thought into how to present yourself and allows the interviewer to ask you to expand on areas of interest. You aren’t there to share every detail of your life story—respect the interviewer’s time and let them guide discussion.

Nail your anecdotes

The stories you tell of your professional successes should show someone how you work and who you are. I get frustrated when people insist that they’re an accomplished leader or a strong manager but can’t give me a meaningful example. Show me, don’t tell me that you’re a skilled manager/fundraiser/strategist, etc.

Make sure your anecdotes have a clear beginning, middle and end that speak to your role in effecting change: there was a problem, you led the identification of a solution, and the end result was positive outcome “x.” Some people use STAR as a helpful reminder: in every story, there is a Situation, Task, Action, Result.

Be who you really are

Earlier in my career I spent too much time worrying about presenting a certain way— strong, nimble, energetic, ready for anything, hyper engaged and poised. I drank lots of coffee and amped myself up for meetings. I was focused on what I felt those in charge wanted to see, not being the best version of myself. Don’t make this early-career mistake. Focus on sharing the best version of yourself: strengths, areas for improvement and all.

Compelling leaders are accomplished, yes, but just as importantly, they are self-aware—confident of what they know and aware of what they don’t. No one has had a perfect career; own your story and show that you’re learning and aware at each step.

Tell the interviewer what you can do for her

If by the end of an interview you haven’t given the interviewer a sense of what you’ll do for her, you’ve failed the interview. Let her know, whether through your prior accomplishments, professional passions, thoughtful questions (have 2-3 ready), ideas for the organization, or long-range goals, what you will bring to the table and why you should be the one she selects for the position.

And finally, a note on remote interviews

Hiring remotely has been normalized, as have virtual interviews. Take 5 minutes to check your technology - from your network connection to your lighting, camera angle and framing - before your meeting. Remote work arrangements can be awkward, but don’t be the candidate who shows up with items spilling out of a dresser behind them or hunched over a laptop in a dark corner (this actually happens.) The time you take to prepare will show that you that you are taking the opportunity seriously, that you value the hiring manager’s time, and that you thought enough to present your very best.

Additional resources:

Learn more about asking the right questions.

The experts at Wired teach you how to prepare for the Zoom interview.

The STAR method to answering questions - an in depth review.

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