In the quest to ace job interviews, we’ve gathered the wisdom of eighteen career coaches, offering a range of strategies from evaluating potential employers to studying job descriptions for tailored examples. Their collective expertise, distilled into powerful tips, begins with the importance of asking insightful questions and the benefit of studying the job description and preparing examples. Dive into the insights of these seasoned professionals to sharpen your interview preparation game.
- Evaluate Potential Employers Through Questions
- Relate Responses to Job Role
- Show Self-Awareness in Strengths and Weaknesses
- End Interviews with a Strong Closing Statement
- Strategize for Interview Setbacks
- Leverage Your Skills and Experience
- Practice with Mock Interviews
- Conduct a Pre-Interview Ritual
- Look Into the Company’s Inclusion Practices
- Research Interviewers for Connection Points
- Ask Role-Relevant Questions Early
- Know the Company and Ask Insightful Questions
- Prepare Career Highlights Relevant to Role
- Match Skills with Job Requirements
- Identify Success Stories for Key Skills
- Be Authentic and Strategic
- Rehearse Behavioral Questions Using STAR
- Study Job Description and Prepare Examples
Evaluate Potential Employers Through Questions
Remember that interviewing is like dating—both sides have to feel like it is a fit. Thus, you’re evaluating the potential employer while they’re evaluating you. Instead of using a handful of stock questions for the end of the interview (when you have the chance to ask questions), prepare a few questions that you really want to know. Lead with your curiosity and genuine interest in the company. The interviewer will appreciate that, and you’ll get intel that’s helpful to you.
Cydnee DeToy, Career Coach, Cydnee DeToy Coaching
Relate Responses to Job Role
Don’t just answer the question; always bring your responses back to the job you’re interviewing for. When talking about your accomplishments and skills from previous jobs, end with how you’ll use that knowledge and experience to be successful in the new job (which requires you to research and understand the role and company very well before the interview).
That way, you will help the interviewers better imagine you in the new role because you’re already thinking and talking about how you’ll be effective at their company. Connect the dots for them. It’ll make the decision easier for them to choose you.
Linda Evans, Career Coach, Launched By Linda
Show Self-Awareness in Strengths and Weaknesses
Most interviewers will ask a variant of this question: ‘What are your strengths and weaknesses?’ Beware: This question is a trap! If you sing your praises too highly, you may come across as egotistical. If you self-identify as a perfectionist (the most common “weakness” I’ve heard in 20+ years of HR), you may seem rigid to prospective employers. Shift the focus to answering the intent behind the question: self-awareness.
Talk about what’s important to you and how it’s reflected in your behavior. For example, “I value curiosity, which means I tend to ask a lot of questions, enjoy learning about lots of different things, and can get sidetracked by a cool new idea. My curiosity helps me grow personally and professionally while benefiting companies because I delve deeper to get to the root causes.” Determine your values and then prepare your answer to this common question from the perspective of self-awareness.
Laura Barker, Career Coach, Laura Barker Coaching
End Interviews with a Strong Closing Statement
Business schools coach their MBAs to use a strong closing statement to wrap up interviews, but most people are unaware of this powerful strategy. Preparing and delivering a fantastic closing statement about why you are specifically qualified for the job will set you apart from the competition and end your interview on a memorable high note. After the interviewers have answered your last question, deliver a version of this closing statement:
“Thank you for your answers to my questions, and for your time today. I was initially excited about this position, and I’m feeling even more enthusiastic after learning more details about what I would be working on and who I will be working with. As I’ve shared throughout my interview, I am an excellent fit for this position because of <A reason>, <B reason>, and <C reason>, and I am confident about my ability to deliver value for your company through <X>. Before we wrap up today, is there anything additional you need to hear from me to feel equally confident that I am the right choice for this position?”
I coach all of my clients on this strategy, and you’d be amazed at how many of them reported back that they were specifically complimented on how powerfully they wrapped up the interview.
Amanda Fischer, Executive Leadership and Career Coach
Strategize for Interview Setbacks
Prepare to recover when you fumble! It is inevitable that you will struggle in an interview—they might ask something you haven’t prepared for, or you’ll be stumped for an example, or you’ll ramble on without direction. Proactively strategizing for potential setbacks showcases your ability to thrive under pressure and rebound gracefully from errors.
For example, if you tend to digress, prepare how to handle it with, “I think that I got too into the ‘weeds’ talking about a business development project, but when I start talking about how I build strategic new partnerships to drive revenue, I get very excited to share my approach and decision-making process.” Or if your response was weak, you could say, “I am not sure if I hit the mark with that example, but I’d like to quickly also share about a time when my ability to problem-solve on the fly was critical to our team’s success.”
In interviews, perfection isn’t the goal; instead, mastering the art of resilience, grace, and diplomacy is key. Practicing how to recover gracefully not only demonstrates these vital skills but also sets you apart as a candidate.
Denise Fowler, Founder and Career Coach
Leverage Your Skills and Experience
Navigating the entire interview process can feel incredibly daunting, especially when anxiety creeps in just before. My top recommendation? Embrace where you’re at and get cozy with discussing your skills. Ease those nerves by reminding yourself that they invited you for a reason—they’ve already got a solid overview of your skill set that fits the role. The first step? It’s simply a chat to confirm those skills and qualifications.
When it comes to preparation, start by taking stock of your resume. Highlight those key responsibilities that sync up with the role you’re after. And don’t forget to dive into the company’s mission and values. Because guess what? When it comes to preparation, you’ve got all the answers. It’s about leveraging your skill set and experience, marketing yourself as the solution to the company’s biggest challenges.
Harleny Vasquez,LMSW, University Speaker and Career Coach
Practice with Mock Interviews
If you can complete a mock interview, this is my number-one tip. While the actual interview will never be the same as what you are asked in a mock interview with a career coach or HR professional, this will allow you to start to formulate your answers to commonly asked questions, as well as some that require specific examples that showcase the skills needed for the role.
Glassdoor is also a great tool to use in your interview preparation; you can find examples of interview questions from others who have gone through the process as well. There are also several AI platforms available that you can record yourself on and listen back to see how you sound and how the answers flow.
Megan Blanco, Career Coach, Adjunct Faculty, Employer Relations Liaison, and Relationship Development, University of Central Florida
Conduct a Pre-Interview Ritual
There’s what you say, and how you show up; and often folks forget to prepare to show up. Take 10 minutes before the interview for yourself. Set your phone, messages, and Slack to “Do Not Disturb.” Go to the bathroom. Do some vocal exercises, like singing “Happy Birthday” a few times.
Look in the mirror and give yourself a compliment. Do not open the annoying email from the boss you can’t wait to quit on and get distracted from your current interview. Take a moment to breathe and ground your thoughts, feelings, and energy. Hiring managers remember how you showed up, and it can often make the difference between candidates.
Chris Meador, Career Strategist and Executive Coach, Yes and Thinking
Look Into the Company’s Inclusion Practices
I encourage my clients to research the company through a lens of inclusion and accessibility: Has the company participated in DisabilityIN’s Disability Equality Index? Are there any ERGs for neurodivergent and/or disabled employees? Do they specifically discuss their accessibility initiatives and commitment? What are their benefits like—do they include flexible schedules and hours, generous paid time off and sick time, health care, professional development, etc.?
I also encourage clients to interview their interviewer with questions like: Tell me about a time when an employee shared an idea that leadership implemented. What is the culture around mistakes and learning? What is the pathway to career and leadership development at X company? How neuroinclusive is your company culture, systems, and policies?
These will help clients identify whether the company is a good fit for them and the needs they have as a neurodivergent and/or disabled professional.
Jennifer Alumbaugh, MS, Accommodations and Career Consultant, NeuroSpark Health
Research Interviewers for Connection Points
As a Career Coach and Career Mentor, I help many clients throughout the interview process. Each company has a different process and method for interviewing potential clients. There are various types of interviews, including telephone interviews, virtual interviews, and in-person 1:1, group, and panel interviews.
Before each interview, no matter how it is conducted, it is critical to come prepared. I often tell my clients that as much as they are being interviewed for the job/company, they are also interviewing the hiring manager and team to ensure it will be a good fit for them. It is critical to conduct research on the team that is interviewing you.
If your point of contact at the company does not give you the individuals’ names who are interviewing you, it is appropriate to ask for them. Leverage LinkedIn to learn about their career trajectory, education, and skills.
During the interview process, connections matter; leverage something you read about them during the interview. When you build a real connection with the interviewer, you are more likely to move to the next round in the process or get a job offer.
Christina G. Hall, Career and Leadership Coach, CGH Careers, LLC
Ask Role-Relevant Questions Early
Most people think that the purpose of an interview is to impress people so you get the job offer. I disagree. I firmly believe that the hiring process is one of figuring out the right match for all parties, so I coach my clients to know what they do and don’t want out of a job early. Be prepared to ask questions that are important to you throughout the process, and don’t be afraid to politely but firmly withdraw at any point if you determine the role is not a match.
Don’t spend time trying to memorize scripted answers to every possible question under the sun to ace the interview. It comes across as stilted when you talk to people. Instead, focus on dialing in the most important stories you’re likely to get asked about, such as your career origin story, a key success story, a failure story, a leadership story, and, if applicable, a people-management story. Getting comfortable with these makes everything else easier.
Diana Alt, No BS Career Coach for Leaders in Tech, Diana Alt Coaching & Consulting
Know the Company and Ask Insightful Questions
Be prepared. Know something about the company you are applying to, which means you may have to do some research. Know something about their products or services they offer.
Have 2-3 questions in mind to ask after you have finished answering theirs, e.g., “What would a typical day look like for me as an employee here?” “What do you like about working here?” A firm handshake and eye contact are also important.
Kathy Fowler, College and Career Coach
Prepare Career Highlights Relevant to Role
Know the company you are interviewing inside and out. Then, create three specific highlights from your career that show how your experience can add value to this specific company and role.
Own your story and rehearse your three highlights until you can confidently repeat them. Practice them in front of the mirror, record them on your phone, share them with friends and family.
Your story is your brand, and your value is in how you can support the hiring manager to solve specific problems. Clearly articulating how you can help makes it easy for a hiring manager to say yes!
Karen Kunkel Young, Executive Leadership Coach and Career Coach, Karen Kunkel Young Coaching
Match Skills with Job Requirements
The best preparation is to figure out why you are the number-one candidate for the job. Hiring managers are busy, and the faster you can show them why you’re the best fit, the easier it is for them. Spend time analyzing the job description line by line, matching your skills and experience with the requirements.
If you don’t have an exact match, look for skills that are similar and transferable. Research the job and find out if any specific accreditations or certifications are required so you can speak about those with authority and assurance that you are committed to achieving them.
You can learn a lot from the company’s website and its team section. Find employees with the same job title, then search for those individuals on LinkedIn to see what experience they have that’s similar to yours.
After you have done your research, create a document with one column for the job description duties and one for your experience. Match up as much as possible and go through it during the interview, asking for any additional input. Remember to leave the document and a couple of copies with the interviewer.
Sharon Rose Hayward, Founder and Coach, Winning at Work
Identify Success Stories for Key Skills
My very best interview preparation tip is to identify success stories that prove you have the abilities required to do the job. How?
First, pinpoint the five most important skills and abilities this job will require you to have. Next, reflect on your previous experience to identify five different examples of past successes that show the hiring manager that you can perform key job functions.
Each success story should include an explanation of the problem, why it mattered, what you did to solve it, and the positive impact or result of your solution. Rehearse these stories so that you can tell them in the most compelling way possible. They will make you memorable!
Adrian Klaphaak, Career Coach and Founder
Be Authentic and Strategic
I encourage you to be “authentic and strategic” in a job interview. And this takes preparation.
Being authentic is about embracing who you are—your values and mindsets—and what you have to offer in terms of strengths, skills, and experience.
Being strategic is thinking carefully about what stories you will tell to share evidence that you have what the employer needs. You want to dig out your very best stories that demonstrate clearly that you have the relevant skills and qualities outlined in the job description. If you prepare in advance, these stories will be at the tip of your tongue, and you can easily access them when the timing is right in the interview.
Above all, I advise you to lean on your strengths when answering questions. If in doubt, turn to your strengths and describe how you would utilize them to address any situation.
Liz Falco, Career Coach
Rehearse Behavioral Questions Using STAR
Anticipating a job interview can be very stressful; however, preparation is the key to feeling confident that you are effectively presenting yourself as the prospective employer’s ideal candidate.
When prepping for an interview, research the company’s core values, objectives, and needs, and consider how your skills can contribute effectively to the role you are interested in. Then, you can leverage resources like Google or ChatGPT for probable behavioral interview questions for that position.
When developing answers to those questions, think about real-life examples showcasing your competencies using the STAR Method (Situation, Task, Actions, Results). Remember to keep responses concise and limit your response to no more than two minutes. While they may not ask you some of these specific questions, having those back-pocket anecdotes will help you “think on your feet.”
Finally, practice, practice, practice: rehearse your answers out loud with a trusted friend, in front of a mirror, or with a coach to refine your delivery until they sound unscripted.
Following these steps will make you feel prepared, confident, and relaxed when being interviewed.
Chris Sier, PCC and Executive Coach
Study Job Description and Prepare Examples
As a Career Coach, I work with candidates in all industries, and interviews can look different for each candidate. As a general rule of thumb, I advise my candidates to study the job description and to take notes in regards to what skills they have that are required for the job.
I advise writing these down and then writing down examples of how the candidate utilizes the skill effectively. I encourage them to study these. Not only does it help them prepare for questions, but reminding yourself of your skills and experiences is a great confidence booster!
Susan Sweenie, VP, Operations and HR