Published: May 17, 2023  

 Taking the Complexity Out of Interview Preparation.   

You’ve just received a call inviting you to your next job interview.  That’s great news!  However, now you want to prepare for the interview and arrive with confidence that you’ll be able to answer most any question they ask you.  Here’s an idea that will help you prepare and deliver those answers.  Funnel the possible interview questions into three categories to simplify your preparation and delivery of your answers.   

1.     Competence – Can you do the job?  One of the basic questions the hiring manager needs to answer concerns your qualifications.  Do you have the requisite skills and strengths expected by the employer for the position?  You wouldn’t have received an invitation for the interview if they didn’t think you could do the job, … based on what you’ve shown them on paper.  Be sure you review your cover letter, resume, and application again before walking into the interview.  Also, you’ll want to review the job announcement and compare the job description to what you’ve told the hiring manager in your previous communication whether that is your cover letter, resume, application, social media profile, screening interview, etc.  Make it a practice to print, copy, download, or get a screen shot of the job announcement when you first apply to the job and place it where you can find it later.  If you change your resume so that you target the jobs you are applying for, you’ll want to ensure you save the version of your resume that you used for this job opening. Plan to give examples of your previous work experience that show your answers.  Some questions that fit this category are: 

• What can you do for us that other candidates can’t? 
• Describe your work experience. 
• How do you approach your workday? 

2.     Commitment – Will you do the job; will you love the job?  Motivational Fit is important, particularly once you have arrived at a fair financial compensation and benefits.  When you have the correct motivational fit, the incentives provided by the employer match what you want out of the work and will make you happy at work for the duration of your employment.  Motivational Fit is good in three ways.  By working in the job, will you find meaning in the work and know the impact you’re making on others and, does what you’re doing in your work match your values?  Will there be an opportunity for you to share in shaping the destiny of the firm and will you have some influence on that and will you be informed about that in your role?  The second way is that you’ll feel good about performing activities that you are good at since the activities match with your strengths, resources you are provided to do your job, and the support you are given from supervisors and managers.  This is important to people as they care about their employability over time and the job should provide opportunities for learning, professional development, and building your resume.  The third way is the job should be good for you in terms of near-term pleasure when you perform your work activities as they should fit with your life interests.  Compensation is a factor and should include monetary and nonmonetary awards, recognition, and respect.  Some questions that fit this category are: 

• Why do you want to work for this company? 
• Why do you think this job is right for you? 
• What motivates you? 
• Describe your ideal job? 

3.     Cultural Fit – Will you fit in?  Sometimes referred to as the work environment.  Can we tolerate you?  Can you tolerate us?  You’ll want to know how staff behave.  How do staff, including supervisors, managers, and owners, act, make decisions, and control the business?  How to people communicate with each other, engage in intellectual debate, manage conflict, and assign credit and blame?  How do people feel about the organization’s purpose, mission, and vision?  How do people identify with their subgroup, group, and the organization as a whole?  What is the basis for power in the organization?  What are the staff’s underlying assumptions and beliefs, intentions, approach to learning, dealing with risk and time management?  What is the work environment in terms of office space, protocols, décor, etc.?  Some questions that fit this category are: 

• How would you describe your work style? 
• How would your colleagues describe you? 
• What makes you fit into our company? 
• What makes you a good team member? 

For more tips on job interviews and other aspects of your job search, reach out to us here.