How To Prepare For My First Interview

Your first interview might seem like a giant stressful milestone, but with some planning, you can make it a rewarding experience and maybe with a job offer. Interviews are opportunities to display your skills, reflect confidence, and leave an impactful impression. This guide will provide you with essential steps to help you crush your first interview. So here's where you start:

Research the Company

One of the first things to do in preparing for an interview is to do your homework on the company. Know the company's mission statement, values, and recent successes to demonstrate that you understand the company's culture and can align your answers with their expectations. Study their website, read recent stories in the news, and check out their social media accounts. Quoting specific aspects in your interview will make you stand out as someone who really cares about the job.

Understand the Job Description

Read the job description closely and find the keywords. Jot down the key responsibilities and necessary skills, and consider how your skills and experiences fit them. You will want to use them during your interview responses. Employers want to know how candidates will match up with the role. Having examples of your experience that show how you’ve used relevant skills in the past can help answer behavioral questions, too.

Dress Code for Interviews

Making a good first impression shows you are respectful and will dress appropriately for work. If you are unsure about the dress code, check industry standards or simply ask the recruiter. The company's social media will usually show employees working, so that's a great place to see the appropriate attire. What you wear can boost your confidence.

Practice Common Interview Questions

Anticipating and practicing your answers to common interview questions is a key component of interview prep. Questions such as “Tell me about yourself; “What are your strengths and weaknesses? Why do you want to work here?” are frequently asked. These practice questions will help you answer them quickly and accurately. Also, the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) or Soar Technique can be used to respond to behavioral questions.

Mock Interviews

Mock interviews are an excellent opportunity for getting comfortable with the process. Mock interviews allow you to practice your tone, body language, and how to deliver your answers. Have a friend, family member, or career coach do a mock interview with you. While recording, you can practice voice modulation and body language. 

Don't be too hard on yourself when reviewing, but use constructive criticism to help yourself improve. There's always room for improvement, but your focus is your best and not on perfection. You want to resonate with the recruiter or hiring manager, but perfection isn't always what they want in candidates.

Prepare Your Questions

At the end of most interviews, the interviewer will ask, “Do you have any questions for me?” The right answer is "YES". This is your opportunity to express your enthusiasm for the position and the organization. Be prepared with questions for them regarding the team, company culture, or opportunities for growth to show your interest in the job and your knowledge about the company. Avoid questions they already explained during the interview unless you want clarification. 

Avoid asking about salary or benefits during your interview unless the interviewer brings it up first. They haven't selected you as the candidate to give a job offer, so save that for the appropriate time.

Build Confidence

Going to an interview confidently will set you apart from the other candidates. Surprisingly, many candidates come to an interview unprepared and think they are a shoo-in because they have an amazing resume that helped them get the interview. Well, that's not how it works so practice introducing yourself, your handshake, your body language. Avoid folding your arms and playing with a pen or phone during interviews.

Visualization and positive self-talk techniques can also alleviate pre-interview jitters. Know that the interview is also about you assessing the company and the company assessing you.

Use the STAR Technique for Behavioral Questions

Behavioral questions are intended to learn how you’ve handled situations in the past. They want to know how you deal with stress, co-workers, deadlines, and bosses you disagree with. These usually begin with phrases like, “Tell me about a time when …”

The STAR or SOAR technique offers a consistent way to approach such questions:

Situation: Describe the context or challenge.

Task: Explain your role or responsibility.

Action: Detail the steps you took to address the task.

Result: Share the outcome and its positive impact.

By practicing this technique, you’ll be able to effectively turn your answers into relatable, clear, concise, and impactful stories.

Body Language and Communication 

Body language and communication style are critical in interviews. Look at the interviewer in the eye, give a firm handshake unless theirs is a light grip, and sit up straight — all the things that communicate confidence.

Avoid filler sounds such as "you know," “um,” and “like.” Active listening is equally important. The use of nods and affirmative responses indicates that you’re engaged in the interaction.

Follow-Up After the Interview

Reflect on your performance after the interview. A thank-you email sent within 24 hours is a polite way to express appreciation for the opportunity. Restate your excitement about the position and include a specific point of conversation from the interview to make it your own.

Your first interview is an opportunity to explain your qualifications and show your enthusiasm and preparedness for the role. It also allows you to see if the company culture is a good fit for you.  

Preparation is the key to show that you will be the right candidate for the job offer. If you need additional support to help you with your job search, check out our affordable Job Search Accelerator program, where we help clients stand out from the other candidates to get the job offers they want.