Step By Step Interview Preparation Guide

I’ve coached 1,000+ people on job interviews. My clients have landed at FAANGs, F500s, & Unicorns. Here’s the 11 step interview preparation process I use with all of them: 1. Understand Why Companies Hire Too many candidates focus on themselves when they interview. That’s a mistake. Truth is, companies don’t really care about you. They care about the value you can create for THEM. Make it about the company and you’ll win more job offers. 2. Research, Research, Research Start by investing 5+ hours into learning everything you can about the company. Specifically focus on: - Their goals for the next 12 months - Initiatives they’re rolling out - Challenges they’re facing 2a. Researching Public Companies For public companies: - Listen to their earnings calls - Read every news + opinion article on SeekingAlpha - Comb through their social feeds - Find keynotes and interviews w/ execs 2b. Researching Private Companies For private companies (excluding tips above): - Read news articles / company blog posts - Watch product reviews / tutorials - Analyze customer reviews - Perform a competitive analysis - Speak with current employees 3. The Anatomy Of A Great Answer Now we’ll be drafting our answers. A great interview answer has 3 parts: – An intro that highlights the stakes and creates tension – A body that illustrates your process / strategy step-by-step – A close that focuses on measurable outcomes 4. Draft Answers To “90% Questions” 90% of interviews include the same questions: “Why do you want to work here?”  “Tell me about a time when you ___.” Write down 10 of these questions, then draft answers for each. Each answer should tie in company goals, challenges, etc. 5. Review, Revise, & Rehearse Every day, open the doc with your interview answers. Review each answer. Then revise each answer to make it more concise, value driven, and company focused. Then rehearse each one. Rinse and repeat for 7 days. 6. Review, Revise, & Rehearse: The Next Level After a week, shift to video. Record yourself delivering each answer from memory. Watch the recording and analyze: - Your delivery - Your body language - A/V quality Extra credit if you send to friends for feedback! 7. Find Company-Specific Questions Here's how: - Look up the company on Glassdoor - Click the Interviews tab - Scroll through the interview reviews and look for the "Questions" section Add each new question to a spreadsheet Now begin preparing answers. 8. Research Your Interviewers Don’t know who they are? Ask your recruiter. Then do this: - Scan their LinkedIn profile - Google their name - Look through their socials Try to find points of common ground you can use to build a rapport. (Check the carousel for the rest of the post!). 🔍 This system helped 1,000+ clients stand out and win offers at top-tier companies. 👉 Want us to walk you through how to map it to your next interview? Book a free 30-min call: https://lnkd.in/gdysHr-r

Most candidates practice interviews the wrong way. They just… rehearse answers in their heads. ❌ No structure. ❌ No stress simulation. ❌ No feedback loop. And then they wonder why they go blank when the real interview starts. If you want to actually master problem-solving under stress → Here’s the step-by-step mock interview framework I use to train my students who now work at Google, Amazon, Deloitte & more: 🧩 Step 1: Simulate the Stress, Don’t Avoid It Your brain can’t learn resilience in comfort. 👉 Set a timer for 2 minutes to answer each problem. 👉 Ask a friend/mentor to throw curveball follow-ups. 👉 Record yourself to see body language under pressure. This mimics real interview tension → making stress your training partner, not your enemy. 🧩 Step 2: Use the CFS Formula to Structure Every Answer Every problem-solving response must hit these 3 beats: 👉 Clarify: Restate the problem in your words (“If I understood correctly, the issue is…”). 👉 Frame: Lay out 2–3 logical buckets (MECE principle). 👉 Solve: Dive into each bucket with reasoning + examples. This ensures clarity even if nerves hit. 🧩 Step 3: Practice the Think-Aloud Method According to MIT research, interviewers rate candidates higher when they can follow their reasoning. Instead of silently panicking → verbalize: “I see two possible causes for this issue… Let me evaluate both.” This signals confidence and buys time. 🧩 Step 4: Apply the Red Team Test Before finalizing your solution, challenge it. Ask yourself: “If I were the interviewer, how would I poke holes in this?” This trains you to anticipate objections and build stronger answers. 🧩 Step 5: Run the Reflect-Refine Loop After each mock session: 👉 Write down exactly where you froze. 👉 Note what structure saved you (CFS, MECE, etc.). 👉 Refine → Run again. Within 5–6 cycles, you’ll notice dramatic improvements. Interviewers aren’t looking for instant geniuses. They’re looking for candidates who show: ✅ Calm thinking ✅ Clear structure ✅ Resilience under pressure And those skills are built in practice rooms, not just interview rooms. If you follow this framework, you won’t just “answer questions.” You’ll prove you can think like the kind of professional every company wants on their team. Would you like me to also share a real problem-solving case study (with sample answers) from one of my students who cracked a top consulting firm? Comment “Case Study” and I’ll post it next. #interviewtips #mockinterview #careergrowth #dreamjob #interviewcoach

Stop Wasting Everyone's Time: My 5-Step Interview Prep That Actually Works Had a hiring manager complain that candidates show up unprepared. "They don't know anything about us," he said. Then I spoke to one of the candidates he rejected. Turns out she spent three hours researching the company but had no idea how to show it. She waited for him to ask the “right questions”. He never did. Here's the thing: bad interviews go both ways. But if you're the candidate, you control more than you think. I've coached hundreds of candidates through interview prep. The ones who land offers follow the same five steps. 💡 Step 1: Find the pain Google the company + "challenges" or "problems." Check their LinkedIn posts, recent news, glassdoor reviews. You're looking for one thing: what keeps this team up at night? Last candidate I prepped found out the company just lost a major client. She opened with: "I saw the news about [client]. I've helped teams rebuild after similar losses." Instant credibility. 💡 Step 2: Stalk your interviewer LinkedIn profile. Read their posts. Note their career path. Find one thing you have in common—university, previous company, shared interest. People hire people they like. Commonality builds connection fast. 💡 Step 3: Prepare three stories Pick three achievements that show: problem-solving, leadership, and resilience. Write them down using this format: Situation (one sentence) What you did (two sentences) Result (one sentence with numbers) Practice saying them out loud. Seriously. Out loud. You'll sound 10x better. 💡 Step 4: Write five questions Not "what's the culture like?" Everyone asks that. Ask: "What would success look like in the first 90 days?" "What's the biggest challenge facing this team right now?" "Why is this role open?" "What happened to the last person in this role?" "What concerns do you have about my fit?" These questions diagnose problems and show you think strategically. 💡 Step 5: Plan your close Last five minutes of the interview, say this: "Based on our conversation, I'm even more interested. What are your concerns about my candidacy?" Then shut up and listen. If they have concerns, address them on the spot. If they don't, you just positioned yourself as confident and self-aware. Quick checklist before you walk in: □ Know their current business challenge □ Found commonality with interviewer □ Three stories ready (problem-solving, leadership, resilience) □ Five strategic questions written down □ Closing statement practiced Most candidates wing it. You won't. Preparation doesn't guarantee the job. But it guarantees you won't lose it because you showed up empty-handed. Try this before your next interview. Then tell me how it went. #CareerAdvice #InterviewTips #JobSearch

𝐌𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐨𝐥𝐞.... 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐲..... If there’s one habit that immediately improves interview performance, it’s smart company research. Not scrolling randomly....Not reading the “About Us” page once..... Here’s a practical checklist you can follow before every interview: 1. Start with the Company Website (Your Primary Source) - Go through their About Us, Products/Services, Mission, and Values pages to understand what the company actually does. - Check the Careers page to get a sense of their culture and the kind of talent they attract. 2. Check Recent News & Updates - Search the company on Google News for product launches, partnerships, funding rounds, or leadership changes. - Pick one major update you can reference during the interview — it shows initiative and curiosity. 3. Analyse Their Social Media Presence - Look at their LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, or employer branding campaigns. - Observe how they communicate, what they celebrate, and how they portray their culture. 4. Research Their Industry & Competitors - Understand the market the company operates in: Who are the major players? What trends are shaping the field? - Identify what differentiates this company from competitors, this will help you frame better interview answers. 5. Look Up Employees on LinkedIn - Search for people working in similar roles to the one you’re applying for. - Look at the hiring manager’s background to understand what skills or values they might appreciate. 6. Read Employee Reviews (With Balance) - Platforms like Glassdoor can offer insights into culture, leadership styles, and work-life balance. - Use this information to ask thoughtful questions, not to judge prematurely. 7. Build Your “Company Snapshot” - By the end of this process, you should know: - What the company does and how it makes money - Their key products or services - Their leadership team - Their recent achievements - Their culture and values - Their position in the market This is the difference between walking into an interview “prepared” vs. “strategically prepared.” Here´s a prompt you can use to research a company - Act like a McKinsey analyst. I have an upcoming interview with [Company Name] for the role of [Job Title]. Please research the company in depth and give me a structured, interview-ready brief. Include: What the company actually does (products, services, core business model) Their customers + target markets How the company makes money Recent news, product launches, mergers, funding, or major changes (last 12–18 months) Competitors + what differentiates this company Industry trends that will impact them Potential challenges the company might be facing right now What this specific role typically contributes to the company’s goals Talking points I can use in the interview (so I sound informed) Questions I can ask the interviewer based on this research

Got an interview? Here are my top ten interview prep steps that equate to success. Hi! I'm Laureen and I have interviewed 100K+ people in my career across all industries and positions from entry-level to Executive; in agency & executive search (for my clients), and corporate. 1. Research the Company Thoroughly review the company’s website, recent news, and social media presence. Understand the company’s mission, values, and recent achievements to show your genuine interest. 2. Understand the Job Description Analyze the job description in detail to identify key responsibilities and required skills. Match these with your experiences and prepare to discuss how you meet these qualifications. 3. Prepare Your Elevator Pitch Craft a brief summary of your background, skills, and what you bring to the role. Be ready to share this early in the interview to set a strong foundation. 4. Anticipate Common Questions Prepare answers to common interview questions, such as your strengths, weaknesses, and why you want the job. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses to behavioral questions. 5. Highlight Key Achievements Identify specific achievements from your past roles that are relevant to the job you’re applying for. Be ready to discuss these accomplishments in detail, showcasing your impact. 6. Prepare Questions for the Interviewer Come up with thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer about the role, team, and company culture. This shows your interest and helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you. 7. Practice, Practice, Practice Conduct mock interviews with a friend, mentor, or in front of a mirror. Practicing will help you articulate your thoughts clearly and build confidence. 8. Plan Your Attire Choose professional attire that aligns with the company’s culture. If you’re unsure, it’s safer to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. Even for a video interview. 9. Prepare for Technical Aspects If your interview includes a technical component, such as a coding test or case study, review relevant materials and practice beforehand. Make sure your tools are ready if it’s a virtual interview. 10. Prepare to Follow Up Plan to send a thank-you note after the interview, reiterating your interest in the role and highlighting a key point from the discussion. I recommend a LinkedIn connection request with a note. This can leave a positive impression on the interviewer. #interview #interviewprepartion #career #jobsearch

Interviews are not always required, but when they are, especially for programs with Principal Investigators (PIs), faculty mentors, or competitive scholarships, they are often the deciding factors. A strong application can fall short if alignment doesn’t come through in person. Week 9: Preparing for Interview If you get invited to an interview, it means you stood out among many applicants. But this “final hurdle” takes preparation. So, how do you prepare effectively? ☑️ What Interviewers are looking for No matter the program or field of study, interviewers typically want to see: - The person behind the documents (values, clarity, motivation) - Your ability to communicate with depth (not just recite your CV) - Evidence of resilience, fit, and potential - How you handle pressure and critique - For research-heavy programs: alignment with faculty or PI interests ☑️ Some common interview questions These questions give you a chance to bring your SOP and CV to life: - Tell me about yourself - Why this program/university? - What’s one achievement you are proud of? - Share a challenge or failure and what you learned - Where do you see yourself in 5–10 years? - Why do you deserve this scholarship, and how will you use it? - What research excites you, and who might you work with? ☑️ Practical preparation steps - Do mock interviews with friends, mentors, or alumni. Record and review yourself - Prepare 3–5 stories (resilience, leadership, failure, growth) that you can adapt - Review your CV, SOP, and application documents. Expect questions from them. If you wrote it, you must be ready to expand on it - Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to keep answers clear and structured - Aim for focused, 1–2 minute answers and not one-liners or long monologues - Practice under timed conditions to avoid rambling - For virtual interviews: test your mic, lighting, and background ☑️ Research beforehand Confidence comes from preparation: - Research the program: know at least 2–3 faculty or program features that excite you - If you know your interviewer, read their profile and recent work to find points of connection - For PI-based programs, explain why their research resonates with you and how you can contribute - Understand the school’s broader mission so you can connect it to your goals ☑️ Key reminders during the Interview - Show confidence with humility, enthusiasm, and self-awareness. - Structure answers with a Past, Present, and Future flow - Bring your authentic voice: the committee wants you, not a rehearsed script - Listen carefully before replying, and ask for clarification when needed - If you don’t know something, admit it while showing curiosity and openness Your application earned an interview, but this will take you to the final step. PS: These pictures with Sir Okey Ndibe remind me that hard work pays off. Growth takes time, but every step forward is worth celebrating. See you next week! #JenniferScholarshipSeries | 9 of 10

Your interview prep could be why you're not getting offers. If you Google "top 10 interview questions." If you memorize canned answers that sound like everyone else. If you freeze when they ask something you didn't script. That's not prep. That's self-sabotage. Here's a framework that actually works: 1️⃣ Build a story bank Write down 3–5 concrete examples that prove your value. Not responsibilities. Not buzzwords. Real situations where you solved problems and delivered results. 2️⃣ Use the PAR-3 method Every story needs: → The right Problem (what was broken) → The right Actions (what YOU did) → The right Result (the measurable outcome) Keep it tight. No rambling. No filler. 3️⃣ Map stories to the job Pull up the job description. Circle the 5-6 must-have skills. Match one of your stories to each skill. Now you're speaking their language. 4️⃣ Practice with feedback Record yourself answering out loud. Watch it back. Cringe a little. Fix it. Better yet, practice with someone who'll call out the weak spots. You don't need perfection. You need clarity and confidence. 5️⃣ Prep your questions Interviews aren't one-way auditions. Ask about what success looks like in the role. Ask about team dynamics. Ask what challenges they're facing. Top candidates evaluate the company just as hard as they're being evaluated. 6️⃣ Regulate your mindset Stop treating interviews like interrogations. You're not begging for a job. You're exploring if this is a mutual fit. Walk in calm. Walk in ready. Walk in knowing your worth. The average candidate hopes to survive the interview. The best candidates walk in ready to win it. What's the worst curveball question you've been asked? Let's compare notes below.

“Tell me about yourself…” It seems like a softball, but it’s where most candidates start to stumble. A few weeks ago, I met with someone preparing to re-enter the job market after years in the same role. They had the experience. They had the skills. But their confidence was shaky, and they weren’t sure how to talk about themselves in a way that felt authentic and strategic. So we worked through it together. Because here’s the truth: Preparation isn’t just about your answers. It’s about the impression you leave behind. If you’re getting ready to interview, or know someone who is, here’s what I always recommend: 1. Craft a clear, confident elevator pitch Don’t recite your resume. Give a 60-second story of who you are, what you bring, and why you’re interested in the role. Keep it structured and memorable. 2. Bring printed copies of your resume Even if it’s a video interview. Having it in front of you keeps you grounded, and offering it in person shows forethought and professionalism. 3. Know your numbers Be ready to talk about the size of your team, budgets managed, growth achieved, and problems solved. Specifics build credibility. 4. Prepare thoughtful questions Ask about the team’s biggest challenges, how success is measured, or how the company supports internal growth. Generic questions won’t cut it at senior levels. 5. Research beyond the job description Know who’s interviewing you. Look at their LinkedIn profiles. Understand the company’s mission, values, and recent news. It shows respect and curiosity. 6. Have one success story ready for every core competency Whether it’s leadership, conflict resolution, or innovation, bring examples that are recent, relevant, and measurable. 7. Bring your presence Dress for the part. Sit up. Smile. Listen as much as you speak. Interviews aren’t just about what you say. They’re about how you show up. At the end of the day, the best interview isn’t memorized. It’s practiced with intention. You don’t need to sound perfect. You need to sound like you. What else would you add to this list? #ResetToRehire #HRRealTalk #InterviewTips #CareerCoaching #LeadershipDevelopment #JobSearchSupport #ExecutivePresence

𝐀𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐓𝐢𝐩 #𝟏𝟑 𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩-𝐛𝐲-𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐩 𝐆𝐮𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐈𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Preparing for an #interview is crucial to increase your chances of #success. Here are some steps you can take to ensure you're well-prepared: ✅ Research the company: Gather information about the company's history, mission, values, products/services, recent news or events, and any other relevant details. This will demonstrate your interest and help you tailor your answers to align with the company's goals. ✅ Understand the job description: Analyze the job requirements, responsibilities, and qualifications thoroughly. Identify the key skills and experiences they are seeking and think of examples from your past that demonstrate your proficiency in those areas. ✅ Review your resume: Familiarize yourself with the content of your #resume, especially the experiences, accomplishments, and skills that are directly related to the position you're applying for. Be prepared to elaborate on any specific points during the interview. ✅ Practice common interview questions: Research and rehearse responses to commonly asked interview questions, such as "Tell me about yourself," "Why are you interested in this position?" and "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" Practice delivering concise and compelling answers that highlight your relevant #skills and experiences. ✅ Prepare behavioral examples: Many interviewers ask behavioral questions to assess how you have handled specific situations in the past. Prepare examples using STAR methods that demonstrate your problem-solving abilities, #teamwork, #leadership, #adaptability, and other skills. ✅ Develop your own questions: Prepare a list of thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer. This demonstrates your interest in the position and the company while also providing an opportunity for you to gather information that will help you make an informed decision if you receive an offer. ✅ Dress professionally: Choose appropriate attire that aligns with the company culture and the position you're applying for. If unsure, it's generally better to be slightly overdressed than underdressed. ✅ Plan your logistics: Determine the interview location, whether it's in-person or virtual, and ensure you have the necessary technology or materials ready. Test any software or equipment in advance to avoid technical difficulties on the day of the interview. ✅ Practice good non-verbal communication: Pay attention to your #bodylanguage, maintain good eye contact, and display confidence during the interview. ✅ Conduct a mock interview: Ask a friend, family member, or mentor to conduct a mock interview with you. This will help you practice your responses, receive feedback on your delivery, and identify areas where you can improve. To sum up, we can say that #preparation is key, but it's also important to stay relaxed and be yourself during the interview. Good luck!

If you got the Interview, you deserve the offer letter Yet Most people get rejected! Why? "Interview preparation!" Most people wait for an Interview call to start the interview preparation and that’s wrong! You must start your preparation from the day you decide to look for a new job. And this is how 👇🏻 [1] Research the company and the role: → Thoroughly research the company, its history, mission, products/services, and industry. → Understand the job description, responsibilities, and qualifications required for the role. [2] Review your resume and qualifications: → Carefully review your resume and make sure you can clearly explain your work experience, skills, and achievements. → Identify how your qualifications and background match the requirements of the role. [3] Practice answering common interview questions: → Prepare common interview questions, such as "Tell me about yourself," "Why are you interested in this role?" and "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" → Practice your responses out loud to improve your confidence and clarity. → Prepare a few questions to ask the interviewer, such as about the company's goals, challenges, or the typical day-to-day responsibilities of the role. [4] Prepare for specific interview types: → If the interview is scheduled to be a panel, group, or behavioral-based interview, research the format and prepare accordingly. → Practice for any technical or skills-based assessments, if required. [5] Practice and rehearse: → Conduct mock interviews with a friend or family member to practice your responses and receive feedback. → Record yourself and review your body language, tone, and overall performance. → Continuously refine your responses and practice until you feel confident and comfortable. And remember, Don’t wait for an Interview call to start your Interview preparation!  Prepare from the day you decide to look for a new job! Best of luck!