Research and Relax: Initial Interview Prep Guide

Research and Relax: Initial Interview Prep Guide to make your initial interview a slam dunk

Of the hundreds of candidate conversations we have each month, more than 75% tell us they’ve NEVER thoroughly prepped for an initial interview. For many, this results in a mediocre interview and a low success rate on nabbing a second round!

Here are the TOP 4 TIPS to make that first interview a slam dunk:

📌Research. You want to have a high-level understanding of the company and interviewer(s); do your research! Gathering this information will help you form many of the questions you want to ask in the meeting. Most candidates don’t go beyond this step when preparing for an initial interview. So, while research is an important step, it shouldn’t be your only step!

📌 Write down and prioritize all of YOUR questions. Don’t worry about the nitty gritty in the first meeting — only ask what you need to know to determine if a next round is worth your while.

📌Relax – don’t put undue pressure on yourself. Remember: it’s a first meeting, not a job offer! Taking a first meeting only shows the person that you’re interested enough to talk, nothing more. The more relaxed you are, the more organic the back-and-forth will be, yielding a higher likelihood of getting that second round.

📌Be prepared to ask for what you want! As you’re finishing the interview, be sure to let them know that you’re interested in learning more, then ask what the next step, or steps, is/are. Don’t feel awkward about asking this question, showing your go-getter mentality and willingness to take that next meeting will separate you from other candidates.

So, how often are YOU actually prepping ahead of an interview? Let us know how we can help you in your search for your next position.

Drop a comment below with any other advice or pointers you utilize for interview prep, or share this post with your network if you found it useful!

Thanks for your time, and we wish you all the best in your initial interview!