Pre-Interview Preparation: What to Do Before Your Interview

The Importance of Pre-Interview Preparation

• 💡 COVID-19 has created a challenging job market, making thorough preparation for interviews more critical than ever.
• 🎯 This episode focuses on specific, actionable steps to take immediately before an interview, expanding on previous guidance.
• 🚀 Professionals must continuously prepare for career events like interviews to improve their performance.

Preparing Your 3x5 Review Cards

• 📌 Key Points: Jot down 3-4 specific points you want to convey, such as accomplishments or connections to the job requirements.
• 🔑 Key Competencies: List your most important skills and how they align with the company's needs.
• 📝 Preparatory Answers: Include bullet points for common interview questions like "Tell me about yourself" and "Leadership style" to practice answers.
• 🏆 Key Accomplishments: Note down specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to perform the job, tailored to the role.

Tailoring Your Content to the Job

• 🎯 Focus on Employer Needs: Analyze the job description and company research to identify what they are looking for.
• ✉️ Leverage Cover Letters: Extract specific requirements and your qualifications mentioned in your cover letter as a basis for your key points.
• 🗣️ Sales Analogy: Apply the sales principle of "ask, don't tell" by understanding the customer's (employer's) needs and matching your features (skills) to those benefits.
• 🚫 Avoid Irrelevant Details: Do not discuss accomplishments or projects that are not directly relevant to the job, as this can irritate the interviewer and waste time.

Crafting Effective Accomplishment Answers

• 📊 Structure for Success: For significant accomplishments, note the main achievement, 3-4 key actions taken, and the results achieved on your cards.
• 🧠 Practice, Don't Rehearse: While practice is crucial, avoid sounding overly rehearsed. Focus on structured delivery that feels natural.
• 📈 Avoid Downward Spirals: Nerves can lead to mistakes, but thorough preparation helps mitigate the impact of minor errors and prevents a cascade of negative self-talk.

Preparing for Common Interview Questions

• 💬 "Tell Me About Yourself": Prepare a 3-4 minute answer that goes beyond a resume recitation, providing substance and tailoring to the role.
• 🌟 Leadership Style: Have a concise answer prepared that highlights your approach to leading teams.
• ❓ Questions for the Interviewer: Prepare 3-4 insightful questions that demonstrate your curiosity, intellect, and research about the role and company. Avoid questions about pay, benefits, or vacation until an offer is made.
• ⚠️ Avoid Selfish Questions: Asking about compensation or benefits before an offer is extended can signal selfishness and a lack of readiness.

The Power of Preparation

• 🏆 Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance: This adage is crucial for interviews.
• ⏳ Invest Time: Allocate 5-10 hours for interview preparation; even a little extra effort compared to others can make a significant difference.
• 💡 Focus on Relevance: Use your 3x5 cards as focused reminders in the moments before the interview to stay sharp and effective.