Your first interview—daunting for some, a breeze for others. But how do you prepare to increase your chances of moving forward? There’s a key word in that sentence that makes all the difference: prepare. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail.

Let’s dive into a few essential steps to help you get ready for that all-important first interview.

Understanding

One thing I always stand by: there’s no single approach that works for every first interview. Each company has its own way of doing things, so how do you prepare for yours? It’s crucial to understand the type of interview you’ll be facing whether it’s going to be technical or more of a “culture fit” session.

For a technical interview, be ready to summarise your last 10 years of experience in a clear and concise way. A tip I give my candidates is to have five key bullet points outlining their main responsibilities. This keeps you focused and prevents overselling yourself often, this is what gets you through to the next stage.

For a “culture fit” interview, you’ll want to highlight your experience, as mentioned above, but also explain why you’re truly interested in being in that room. Hint: “I’m always open to opportunities” is not the best answer.

Research

You’re reading this on a platform that, when used well, can be a game-changer for making a memorable impression in the interview.

Before the big day, jump on LinkedIn and research the interviewer, potential teammates, and even the company’s owner. When I say research, I mean take a look at their career history, recent comments, and interests. Understanding what motivates and interests them can help you ask insightful questions during the interview.

The Two “No-Go” Questions

I won’t go into detail here, but there’s a separate article where I explain the two questions to never ask in an interview.

Remember, the first interview is a chance for both sides to get to know each other.

Questions

You’ve done all this work to prepare, so make it count at the end of the interview. Focus your questions on the role, the company, and the hiring manager.

Sign Off

I’ll leave you with a challenge. When you walk out of that interview, aim to have a crystal-clear understanding of the position, with your only questions for the next stage being about the salary and benefits. That should always be the goal for your first interview.

If you’d like some help preparing for your next interview, don’t hesitate to reach out.