Interview Preparation
The research, practice, and planning done before a job interview to improve performance. Effective preparation includes company research, STAR story preparation, question rehearsal, and logistical readiness — each of which reduces anxiety and improves your answers.
Interview preparation is the deliberate work done before an interview to maximize performance. Most candidates significantly underestimate how much preparation affects outcomes — the interview itself is the performance, but preparation is the training. **What to prepare:** **1. Company research (1-2 hours):** - Understand their product, business model, and how they make money - Know their main competitors and differentiation - Read recent news (last 6 months) - Review the interviewer's LinkedIn profile **2. Role-specific preparation:** - Identify the 3-4 most important things this role requires - For each, prepare a specific story from your experience that demonstrates that competency - Review your resume from the interviewer's perspective — what questions would this raise? **3. STAR story bank (1-2 hours):** - Prepare 5-7 stories covering: leadership, failure, conflict, ambiguity, major accomplishment, cross-functional collaboration - Practice telling each story in 2-3 minutes **4. Questions to ask:** - Prepare 3-5 thoughtful questions — about the team, the role's biggest challenges, success metrics, and culture - Avoid questions whose answers are on the company's website **5. Logistics:** - Know the format (phone, video, in person), who you're meeting, and where - Plan to be early (for in-person) or test your tech (for video) - Bring printed resumes for in-person interviews
Why it matters
Interview outcomes correlate more strongly with preparation than with natural interview skill. Candidates who practice behavioral stories, research the company deeply, and prepare sharp questions consistently outperform those who rely on improvisation.
Candidate tip
The night before an interview, write down your three best stories from your experience and one specific question about the company that shows you've done real research — this 15-minute exercise makes a measurable difference in interview performance.
Related terms
Behavioral Interview
InterviewsAn interview format where questions focus on how you've handled specific past situations — 'Tell me about a time when...' The premise is that past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior. Most structured interviews incorporate behavioral questions.
STAR Method
InterviewsA structured format for answering behavioral interview questions: Situation, Task, Action, Result. It keeps answers focused and complete — giving interviewers the context, your role, what you did, and the outcome.
Common Interview Questions
InterviewsThe questions that appear in most job interviews regardless of company or role: 'Tell me about yourself,' 'Why do you want this job?' and 'What's your greatest weakness?' Having polished, genuine answers to these avoids stumbling on questions you knew were coming.
Reverse Interview
InterviewsThe portion of an interview where the candidate asks questions of the interviewer. Often mismanaged — candidates ask either nothing or generic questions. Sharp, specific questions demonstrate research, critical thinking, and genuine interest.
Company Research
Job SearchThe process of learning about a company before applying or interviewing — including its products, culture, business model, competitors, recent news, and team structure. Good research improves your application quality and interview performance.