Interview: How to Prepare

Preparing for an interview can feel overwhelming - and whether it’s your very first job interview or you’ve done a dozen, there’s always that mix of excitement and nerves. The good news? Preparation is the antidote to anxiety. The more thoroughly you prepare, the more confident and calm you’ll feel walking into that interview room (or logging onto the video call).

This blog is going to break down, step-by-step, how to prepare effectively for any interview. We’ll cover everything from researching the company to practicing your answers and planning what to wear. Think of it as your ultimate checklist for the interview prep.

We’ll also touch on some modern tools (like Interviewly) that can give you an extra edge in practicing. Let’s dive in!

Research the Company and Role

One of the biggest mistakes candidates make is not doing their homework on the company. Interviewers can tell when you haven’t put in the effort. On the flip side, when you know your stuff, you demonstrate genuine interest and initiative. Here’s how to research effectively:

• Company Website: Start with the company’s own site. Read the “About Us” section, check their mission and values, and browse any recent news or press releases. Pay attention to the tone and language - it often reflects the company culture.
• Job Description: Go through the job posting line by line. Make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements. Think of examples from your past that align with each bullet point (this will help you in the interview when answering why you’re qualified). Also, the job description may give hints of what to expect: if it mentions presentations, you might be asked about public speaking; if it emphasizes multitasking, prepare an example of juggling multiple projects.
• Industry Knowledge: Broaden your scope to the industry in general. Who are the main competitors? What are current trends or challenges in that industry? Even a sentence or two demonstrating industry awareness can set you apart. For instance, "I’ve noticed a lot of innovation lately in how AI tools are being used in e-commerce. It’s been interesting to follow, and I saw your company is exploring some exciting developments in this area as well." This can spur a good conversation and shows you’re thinking beyond just the job.
• Social Media and Culture: Many companies share a lot on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Instagram. This can give insights into their culture (maybe they post about team events, community service, etc.), which could inspire you to ask a related question when it’s your turn.

By researching thoroughly, you’ll be able to tailor your answers to the company. For example, if you know their values include “innovation” and “customer focus,” you can mention how you love to bring innovative thinking to your work, or give an example of a time you went above and beyond for a customer. It shows a great alignment.

Understand the Job Requirements and Match Them to Your Skills

Knowing about the company is one side of the coin; the other side is knowing yourself in relation to the job. You want to be very clear on how your experience and skills match what they’re looking for. Here’s how to prepare that:

• Make a Two-Column List: On one side, list the key qualifications/skills required (you’ll find these in the job description usually – like “2+ years sales experience,” “proficient in Excel,” “strong teamwork skills,” etc.). On the other side, list your corresponding experience or skill that meets each requirement. Be specific. If they want project management experience, you might note: “Managed a 3-month marketing project with a team of 4, delivered on time.” This exercise not only helps you see if you have any gaps, but it arms you with talking points for the interview.
• Prepare Stories and Examples: For each major skill or responsibility, think of a specific example or story from your past that demonstrates your ability. Behavioral questions (“Tell me about a time when…”) are super common, and having these stories ready will make you respond smoothly. For instance, if the job requires “problem-solving,” be ready to talk about a tricky problem you solved in a previous role or project (what the problem was, what action you took, and what the result was). We’ll talk more about the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) in a bit – it’s a great way to structure these stories.
• Know Your Own Resume: This might sound obvious, but in the heat of the moment, some people forget what they wrote on their resume! Go through every bullet point on your resume and be prepared to talk about it. If you listed a project, be ready for “Can you tell me more about project X?” If you mention you know a certain software or language, expect “How have you used [Skill] in the past?” Nothing on your resume is off-limits, so don’t get caught off guard by your own words.
• Address Potential Weak Spots: If you notice something in the job requirements you don’t have, prepare how to handle it. Maybe the job prefers someone with experience using a certain tool that you’ve never used. You could answer along the lines of, “I haven’t used XYZ software yet, but I have used a similar tool ABC. I’m confident I can pick XYZ up quickly because the functionalities seem related, and I’m always eager to learn new technologies.” This shows honesty about the gap but also proactiveness and confidence in your ability to learn.
• Practice Summarizing Your Fit: A common opening interview question is “Tell me about yourself” or “Walk me through your background.” As part of your prep, craft a brief narrative (60-90 seconds) of your career highlighting the parts most relevant to this job. For example: “I’ve spent the last two years working in customer service at a fintech company, where I honed my communication and problem-solving skills by assisting over 50 clients a week. Prior to that, I studied finance, which gave me a good foundation in the technical knowledge. I’m really excited about this role in particular because it combines my customer-facing experience with my passion for finance, and I see that your company values client education, which I strongly believe in.” This kind of intro weaves your story into why you’re a great fit.

When you clearly connect the dots between the job requirements and your qualifications in your preparation, you’ll naturally do so in the interview. Interviewers love hearing specific evidence that you can do the job - it’s much more convincing than generic assurances.

Practice Common Interview Questions and Answers

Interviews can be unpredictable, but the good news is a lot of questions are actually quite common and you can prepare solid answers for them in advance. Here are some frequently asked questions and how to prepare for them:

• “Tell me about yourself.” - We touched on this above. This is often your “elevator pitch.” Focus on your professional story and why you’re here interviewing for this job. Keep it concise and relevant.
• “Why do you want to work here?” - This is where your company research comes in. Talk about what excites you about the company (culture, product, reputation) and how the role fits your career goals. Show enthusiasm and thoughtfulness.
• “What are your strengths?” - Pick 2-3 strengths that are relevant to the job and have examples ready. For instance, “I’d say one of my strengths is communication. In my last role, I often acted as the bridge between the engineering team and the sales team, translating technical information into client-friendly language. That helped reduce misunderstandings and speed up project timelines.” So you’re not just claiming a strength, you’re proving it.
• “What’s your biggest weakness?” - This one trips people up. The key is to be honest but also show that you’re working on it. A good format: mention a real weakness, quickly follow up with what you’re doing to improve, and assure that it’s not going to severely impact your ability to do the job. Here's an example: “I can be a bit shy about speaking up in big meetings – it’s something I’ve been working on. I started pushing myself to contribute at least one idea in our weekly team meeting, and it’s getting easier. I’m naturally more reserved, but in smaller group discussions and one-on-ones I’m very communicative. And I’ve found that with preparation, I do well even in larger presentations.”
• Behavioral Questions (STAR method): Questions that start with “Tell me about a time when…” or “Give an example of…” are super common. These could be about teamwork, conflict, leadership, failure, success, etc. Use the STAR approach to answer: Situation (set the scene briefly), Task (what was the challenge or responsibility), Action (what you specifically did), Result (the outcome, ideally with something quantifiable or a lesson learned).
• “Do you have any questions for us?” – Always have questions! It shows you’re engaged and interested. You could ask about the team, the company’s future plans, what a typical day is like, or something you genuinely are curious about from your research. We’ll discuss this more later, but it’s a critical part of preparation.

A handy trick is to practice out loud or even use tools for feedback. This is where something like Interviewly can really make a difference. It not only simulates an interview by asking common questions but also helps you get into the right mindset—encouraging you to think deeply about each question as if you were actually in the room. You will get immediate feedback on clarity, conciseness, and whether you’re fully addressing each question.

Remember - Practicing these questions doesn’t mean memorizing answers word-for-word. You want to sound na natural, not like a robot reciting. But having bullet points in mind and a general flow for each answer can do wonders for your confidence, and tools like Interviewly offer a practical, low-pressure way to build that confidence while helping you polish your responses.

Interview Day Checklist

Now let’s switch to some practical aspects of the interview prep that are often overlooked. You’ve practiced your answers — now it’s time to make sure everything else is in place. From what you wear to how you plan your arrival (or set up your virtual space), these practical details can make a real difference in how confident and put-together you come across.

• Dress Code: Research the company culture to gauge how formal or casual the workplace is. If it’s a corporate finance job, err on the side of formal (suit and tie, or equivalent professional attire). If it’s a hip tech startup, business casual might be fine – but still, it’s safer to be slightly overdressed than underdressed for an interview. You want to look neat and respectful of the occasion. If you’re unsure, business professional is a safe bet (like a collared shirt/blouse, blazer, dress pants or skirt, modest dress, etc.). Make sure whatever you choose is comfortable and well-fitting so you’re not fidgeting. Prepare Your Outfit in Advance and pay attention to details: polished shoes, minimal accessories, and tidy hair can subtly boost the impression you make.
• Documents and Portfolio: Depending on your field, you might want to bring some materials. At minimum, have a few copies of your resume printed on nice paper, in case you meet additional interviewers or they misplaced your resume. If you have a portfolio (for designers, writers, etc.), have that ready – whether physically or a link to an online one.
• Route and Timing: If the interview is in-person, plan how you’ll get there. Check the route on Google Maps at the same time of day as your interview to see traffic conditions. Aim to arrive 10-15 minutes early (no earlier, as that can inconvenience them, and definitely not late).
• Virtual Interview Setup: If your interview is via Zoom/Skype/Teams, preparation is just as important:
• • Test your internet connection, camera, and microphone in advance. You don’t want to be troubleshooting tech issues at interview time.
  • Choose a quiet, well-lit space for the interview. Check your background – it doesn’t have to be a fancy bookshelf, just make sure it’s not messy or distracting. Good lighting (facing a window or lamp) helps them see you clearly.
  • Log in a few minutes early to make sure the link works. Have the interviewer’s contact (like email or phone) handy in case there’s a glitch so you can let them know.
  • Still dress professionally (at least from the waist up – no one will know if you’re wearing pj pants, but dressing fully can make you feel in interview mode).
  • Look at the camera when you speak (it feels more like eye contact to them) and try not to stare at your own video feed or notes too obviously.

Develop Your Own Questions to Ask

As mentioned before, having questions to ask the interviewer is an important part of interview preparation. It demonstrates that you’re engaged, have done some thinking about the role, and are interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing you (which, in a modest way, you should - you want to make sure it’s a good fit for you too). Prepare a few questions ahead of time, and feel free say “I noted down a few questions I was hoping to ask”. It shows you came prepared and engaged.

Here are some strong categories of questions and examples:

• Role-Specific Questions: These show you’re picturing yourself in the role. For example: “What would a typical day or week look like for someone in this position?” or “How does the onboarding look like?”
• Team and Culture Questions: “Can you tell me about the team I’ll be working with?” These show you care about the people aspect and fitting in well.
• Success Metrics: “How do you measure success for this role?” This not only gives you clarity on expectations but also signals that you’re results-oriented.
• Growth and Development: “What opportunities for professional development does the company provide?” This subtly tells them you’re interested in staying and growing with the company.
• Next Steps (if not already discussed): “What are the next steps in the interview process?” – This is perfectly fine to ask at the end if they haven’t mentioned it. It shows you’re interested in moving forward. Don’t ask this too early though; save procedural stuff for the end.

Remember not to ask about salary, benefits, vacation, etc., in the first interview unless it’s a very small company or they bring it up first. Those are important questions, but they’re usually best addressed once they’re really interested in hiring you (or in an HR interview/offer stage). The first interview is usually about showing what you can do for them, not what they can do for you.

Having your questions prepared ensures you won’t draw a blank when they ask “So, any questions for us?” It’s a bit of a test too – candidates with no questions can seem disinterested or unprepared. On the other hand, candidates who have thoughtful questions stand out.

Mock Interviews and Final Rehearsal

By now, you’ve done a lot: researched the company, aligned your skills with the job, prepared answers to common questions, checked important details for the interview day, and made a list of questions to ask. The final step is to rehearse and get comfortable with it all.

• Do a Full Mock Interview: This is one of the best ways to simulate the real experience. You can do this with a friend, family member, mentor, or even a career coach if you have access to one. Provide them with a list of possible questions (generatec them with Interviewly) and have them actually interview you for 30-45 minutes. No one to practice with? Try speaking your answers out loud - it’s a simple way to simulate the pressure and catch what needs work.
• Use Technology to Practice: We’ve already mentioned Interviewly - an AI tool that simulates real interviews, offers instant feedback and performance insights, while helping you get into the right mindset and build your confidence. Here's how it works:
• • Paste the job aid URL or enter job description (upload your resume, if you’d like)
  • Have the tool generate a tailored set of interview questions
  • Try 5 questions for free with instant feedback and performance insights
  • To complete the whole round of 15 questions, simply create a free account
  • Want more practice? Start with 24 hours of unlimited exercises or explore subscription options
• Refine Your Answers: After practicing, you might realize some answers didn’t flow well or you forgot to mention something crucial. Tweak your mental script. It’s okay to have keywords in mind for each answer (“project X example for teamwork question”, “mention school club leadership for leadership question”, etc.). Having those mental cues ensures you hit the important points without memorizing full paragraphs.
• Visualize Success: This might sound a bit fluffy, but it helps to visualize yourself walking in (or logging on), shaking hands, answering questions confidently, and having a pleasant conversation. Imagine the interviewer nodding and smiling at your answers, and you leaving feeling great. This positive visualization can reduce anxiety and build confidence. Athletes do it before games - it works for interviews too!
• Rest and Relax: The night before, try to do something relaxing in the evening and then get to bed on time. In the morning, give yourself plenty of time so you’re not rushed. Maybe do a light review of your notes, but don’t over-cram. You either know it by now or you don’t, and you likely do! Instead, focus on calming any jitters: some deep breaths, a power pose (yes, standing like a superhero for two minutes can boost confidence hormones, according to some studies), or listening to a pump-up song that makes you feel good.

Last Key Points: Authenticity and Confidence

Interview preparation might seem like a lot of work - and, well, it is. But think of it this way: you’re investing this time in yourself and your career. Every bit of preparation not only increases your chances of landing the job, but also helps you build skills in communication, self-presentation, and confidence that will benefit you in the long run, regardless of the outcome of this one interview.

By following this preparation guide and working through the Interviewly exercise, you’ve essentially seen the interview in your mind and practiced it before it happens. That's already a huge advantage.

Now, when the actual interview comes, the last important thing to remember is - to be present and be yourself. You don’t want to sound over-rehearsed, truly think through each question and answer with honesty. Use this preparation as a foundation, but still have a conversational tone and don’t be afraid to show your personality. It may happen that you get a question you didn’t expect - and that's okay. Take a breath, pause if you need to gather thoughts, and then answer as best you can.

• If you're unsure, it’s fine to say “That’s a great question. I haven’t thought about that before, my initial thought would be… [and then give a reasoned guess].” Showing a logical approach to an unknown question can still win points. You can also add “I'd likely consult someone more experienced as well at first...” It shows you’re self-aware, able to think critically under pressure and willing to learn.
• If you need a moment to think, don't rush it, feel free to say “Interesting question, let me think about it for a second...” It shows confidence in reasoning out loud, the ability to pause and reflect, and a genuine willingness to engage thoughtfully. A way for them to see what you truly bring to the table.

This kind of honest, mature, and reflective approach speaks louder than a perfect answer. Interviewers can easily tell when someone is giving generic answers or just saying what they think the interviewer wants to hear. It comes across when your responses don’t feel natural, so keep in mind - no one expects perfection. Don’t get lost in over-preparing or let it consume you, it can backfire if you get overloaded. Being real often leaves a stronger impression than trying to be flawless. So, remember - be authentic and let your real self come through. That’s what truly makes a difference.

We're near the end, so let's conclude with the last tip - confidence and positivity are key. You did the work, now trust yourself. Go in with a mindset that this is as much an opportunity for you to learn about them as for them to learn about you. Even if you’re really eager for this job, try to frame it mentally as a conversation to see if it’s a mutual fit. That takes some pressure off and actually makes you perform better.

And no matter what happens, every interview is practice for the next. If it goes well, fantastic! If it doesn’t, you can reflect on what you learned and be even more prepared next time. Good luck!