Landed an interview? Congratulations! That means your application stood out and someone wants to learn more about you. But don't relax just yet—this next step is where the real prep begins.

One common mistake job seekers make is thinking an interview is just a conversation. Sure, it might feel casual, but the real goal is to dig deeper into your experiences and see how well you'd fit the role and company.

To get ready, focus on theWho, What,andWhereof your interview.

Who

Find out who you'll be meeting with and what they do at the company. A recruiter, a hiring manager, and future teammates will all have different goals in the interview. If the invite doesn't say who you're meeting, it's totally fine to ask for more info.

Once you've got names, check them out on LinkedIn. It'll help you understand their background and give you a chance to come up with thoughtful questions to ask.

What

What exactly is the job? What do you bring to the table? And what does the organization care about? These are the questions you should focus on while preparing.

Here's a quick research checklist:

• What is the organization's mission and values?
• What products or services do they offer?
• Have they been in the news recently?

Where

Know the logistics. Is it a phone call? A Zoom meeting? In person? Make sure you know what kind of interview you're walking into.

• If it's virtual, test your tech ahead of time, make sure your devices are charged, and have a back-up plan.
• If it's in person, plan your route so you're not rushing and arrive at least 10 minutes early.
• Dress professionally—even if it's a phone call. A good outfit can boost your confidence!
• No matter the format, smile and bring good energy—it really does come through.

Prepare your STAR stories 🌟

STAR stories are short examples from your experience that show off your skills. These are super helpful for answering behavioral questions like "Tell me about a time when..."

• Situation:(10% of response) Briefly set the context
• Task:(10%) Describe your challenge or task
• Action:(60%) Highlight your specific contributions
• Result:(10%) Share how it turned out
• Connect:(10%) Link your experience to the job you are applying for

Prepare for other common questions as well. Thinking through your responses ahead of time (without memorizing) can build your confidence during the interview!

Take Action 🏃

Schedule a mock interviewwith a career coach to ease your nerves, build confidence, get feedback, and master tricky interview questions.

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Good luck!

❤️ The Walter Center