Prepare

What to do before a job interview

5 minutes

Congratulations! Your carefully crafted cover letter has managed to impress, your CV has demonstrated that you have relevant skills and experience and you’ve been invited to an interview with your prospective employer.

While you’ve already thought about whether you might be a good fit when you applied for the role, now is the time to reassess the reasons why you want the role and take the time to thoroughly prepare your case.

Unfortunately, life doesn’t stop when you’re preparing for an interview. In the midst of a hectic schedule, what are the most important things you need to do when preparing for that crucial discussion within only a short window of time?

Research the organisation

The interview is a chance for the prospective employer to judge whether you would be a good fit for their team. You need to be able to show what you could add to their team and their organisation.

To do this, you first need to understand what makes them tick. Research what you can about the company’s history, its products and services (especially those relevant to the role you have applied for), and where it’s going. You can find this in press releases on the company’s website, in its annual reports and possibly in media articles.

AI-powered tools (e.g. ChatGPT, Google Bard) can summarise key information about a company, recent news and its competitors.

Check out the organisation's culture

Explore their company page on LinkedIn or their homepages to get a sense of their culture. Are they dynamic, innovative and entrepreneurial? Do they take a more low-key, results-driven approach? Are they dedicated to a social cause? Start forming a picture of whether their environment aligns with your values and working style.

While the saying “Don’t judge a book by its cover” often holds true, in this case, strong organisations invest in their brand perception to authentically reflect their culture - helping them attract the right talent.

Be clear about the role

Read and re-read the job description and/or advertisement. Highlight the key words that are used to describe what they are looking for in the role, so you can use these same terms and phrases in the interview. Be prepared for answering how you would meet the requirements for that role in particular, not just any role with a similar job title being advertised in the market.

Research the people interviewing you

Find out about the people who will be interviewing you. Check out their LinkedIn profiles and Google their names to see where they pop up. What can you tell from their backgrounds that would help you better tailor your answers? Do you have any common ground that you could use to build rapport?

Make a good impression by remembering the names of the people you;'ll meet so you can greet them confidently. If you’re not good with remembering names, use memory-association tricks such as linking them to the names of celebrities or people you know.

Practice answering interview questions

You are your biggest selling point. To make a convincing "sale" to the interviewer, you need to know how you can fit to the organisation you're applying for.

Practising interview questions is key to building confidence and delivering strong responses. Start by reviewing common questions related to your role and industry. Use the CAR method (Context, Action, Result) for structured answers. Record yourself or practice with a friend to refine your delivery.

Leverage AI tools to simulate mock interviews for the role, get instant feedback, and refine your responses. AI can help identify areas for improvement, suggest better phrasing, and even analyse tone and clarity — giving you an edge in your preparation.

Define your career goals.

"Where do you see yourself in five years?" is a tricky question, especially with career paths evolving so quickly. Think of your career more like a jungle gym than a ladder — you don’t need a specific job title in mind, but you should be clear about the skills you want to develop and the experiences you hope to gain.

If you applied broadly at the start of your job search, that’s normal. But in an interview, being uncertain about your goals can raise concerns for employers. Take the time now to reflect, define what you really want and then write it down to solidify your vision.

Get enough sleep

You wouldn’t show up to an interview drunk, yet studies have shown that even moderate sleep deprivation can impair cognitive function in a similar way to being over the blood alcohol limit. This is one of those occasions where you should try to prioritise an early night over other commitments if you can. You’ll think more clearly and be more focused on the day of the interview. Take the time to make a good impression.

By researching the company, understanding its culture, and familiarising yourself with the role and interviewers, you’ll walk in with confidence. Practicing your responses, clarifying your career goals, and ensuring you’re well-rested will help you make a strong impression. With the right preparation – leveraging AI tools where needed – you can turn your interview into a compelling conversation that showcases your value and sets you up for success.

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