How to Prepare for a Job Interview

Job interviews can be nerve-wracking, even for experienced professionals. But preparation makes a big difference. The more you prepare, the more confident you’ll feel and the better you’ll be able to show employers why you’re the right person for the job.

Research the company

Start by learning as much as you can about the company. Read its website, paying attention to its products or services, mission, values and culture. Look for recent news, such as new products, expansions, leadership changes or challenges the company is facing. This helps you understand the company’s priorities and speak knowledgeably during the interview.

Study the job description carefully. Identify the key skills, qualifications and responsibilities, then think about how your experience matches each one. Be ready to explain specifically how you meet the requirements.

If you know who will be interviewing you, look them up on professional networking sites. Learning about their background and role can help you build rapport and tailor your answers.

Researching typical pay for the role in your area also prepares you for salary discussions, which may come up during the interview process.

Practice common questions

Many interview questions come up again and again. Be ready to answer them clearly and confidently.

Tell me about yourself is often the first question. Prepare a brief answer, about a minute or two, that summarizes your professional background, key strengths and why you’re interested in this role. Focus on your career rather than personal details.

Why do you want this job? Explain what attracts you to the role and company, connecting your interests and skills to what they need. Your research will help here.

What are your strengths and weaknesses? Choose strengths relevant to the job, with examples. For weaknesses, choose a genuine area for improvement and explain what you’re doing to work on it.

Behavioral questions ask about past experiences, such as describing a challenge you’ve overcome or a time you disagreed with a coworker. The STAR method can help you answer these clearly. Describe the Situation, explain the Task you needed to accomplish, detail the Action you took and share the Result, ideally with specific outcomes.

Practice your answers out loud, either alone, with a friend or by recording yourself. Practicing helps you sound natural and confident rather than rehearsed.

Prepare your stories

Have three to five strong examples ready that show your strengths, such as solving a difficult problem, leading a project, working effectively on a team, handling a challenging customer or improving a process. Well-prepared stories can be adapted to answer many different questions.

Include specific details and results wherever possible, such as numbers that show your impact. Stories are more memorable than general claims about your abilities.

Ask good questions

Interviews are a two-way conversation. Asking thoughtful questions shows your interest and helps you decide whether the job is right for you.

Prepare questions about the role, the team, company culture and what success looks like. For example, you might ask what success would look like in the first six months, what the biggest challenges facing the team are, how the team collaborates or how performance is measured. Avoid questions that are easily answered on the company website.

Handle the logistics

Confirm the date, time and location of the interview, or the video link for virtual interviews. For in-person interviews, plan your route and aim to arrive about 10 minutes early. For virtual interviews, test your technology in advance, including your camera, microphone and internet connection, and choose a quiet, well-lit space with a neutral background.

Plan your outfit ahead of time, dressing appropriately for the company’s culture. When in doubt, it’s usually better to be slightly more formal than too casual. Bring copies of your résumé, a list of references, a notebook and a pen.

During the interview

Make a positive first impression with a friendly greeting and good eye contact. Listen carefully to each question and take a moment to think before answering. It’s fine to ask for clarification if a question is unclear.

Be honest and authentic. If you don’t know something, say so and explain how you would find the answer. Show enthusiasm for the role and stay positive, even when discussing past challenges or former employers.

Follow up

Send a short thank-you email within a day of your interview. Thank the interviewer for their time, mention something specific from your conversation and briefly restate your interest in the role. A thoughtful thank-you note can help you stand out.

If you haven’t heard back by the time the employer said they would decide, it’s appropriate to send a polite follow-up email.

Know your rights

Federal law generally prohibits employers from discriminating based on race, color, religion, sex, including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, age if you’re 40 or older, disability or genetic information. If you believe you’ve experienced discrimination, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission provides information on your rights and how to file a complaint.