How can a Candidate prepare for an Interview?

Books are written about this question!  From practice, to research, to building connections, candidates are looking for the “right answer.”

I coach candidates to think about common questions (many can be googled:  behavioral interview questions), and think about how they’d answer the question.  In this process, think about how you begin, what you specifically want to share and how you conclude.  Each answer is a short story.  Each response indicates how you think about a response and how you present information.

It is okay to ask for a minute to prepare your answer.  It is okay to take notes during the interview to give yourself a moment to think and to review after the interview with a friend/co-worker.

In looking at the job description, think about the major areas of work—you know there will be questions about these.  For some positions, it may be in the bullets under a heading, for others it will be the heading itself (example:  Heading is Personnel, subheading is 4-staff plus indirect.  You can assume there will be a question about managing staff.)

Think about why you want this position.  Is this a lateral move or a step-up; are you expanding into a new area or staying within your current area of expertise; why this particular organization/position?

Do research on the organization:  look at the 990 tax form, review the website, look up board members on LinkedIn, gain an understanding of who this organization is and where they’ve been in the last several years.  This will help you understand what the committee may be searching for in their next hire.

Take a deep breath, and be in the moment.  You are in the interview for a reason—you are a great candidate and the organization is lucky to have you in the interview mix.  Believe you deserve to be there.  Smile and enjoy the process.  I know that sounds funny, but enjoy people getting to know you, searching for a person they can support and who can support them.  Then take another breath.  You’ll be awesome!