5 Tips to Start Interviewing Better
Interviewing is a skill that’s practiced, not inherent. As a knowledge worker, you will lose your interviewing skills over time. You should continue exploring opportunities, even if you have a good job — at least interview once a year.
Depending on your career direction, small to large org, or large to small org, your approach to preparing for an interview will change significantly. Here are the core ways to prepare for the interview regardless of company size to ensure you get the offer.
Technical Readiness
Ensure you’re ready for the technical portion of your interview; if you’re an engineer, that means being able to do a medium-level Leetcode in 15 minutes. If you’re a marketer, being able to talk about funnel metrics tied back to revenue and how you work cross-functionally is critical.
Understand the Culture
Familiarize yourself with the company’s core values, operating principles, and indicators of company culture. When answering your interview questions using the STAR method, be able to weave in the core values and operating principles into your story.
Ask Your Recruiter for Insights
The recruiter is your friend. They will be your guide during the interview process, so use them as a resource to set yourself up for success. Ask them questions. Ask them about the interview process, how the company’s interviews differ from those in other places, what to pay attention to, and how to prepare effectively.
Know the Job
You’re expected to be competent and, depending on the level, an expert in your field. Display it. Ask questions about what success in the role looks like. Know what’s expected of you for the first 30–60–90 days. Show off your expertise with confidence and provide expert insights from your perspective; remember, you’re interviewing them as much as they’re interviewing you.
Stop Focusing on Seniority and Title
Duties and responsibilities determine your level within the company. You may have been a Senior Engineer for five years at Meta, but within those 5 years, you may have had a yearly increase in duties, direct reports, and manager changes and have taken on more impactful projects.
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