Interview preparation toolkit

Identify approximately five key skills or attributes from your experience, skills, accomplishments and/or personality that make you a good match for the job. Prioritize these based on the needs of the job opportunity. Try to work one of them into every answer you give.

Create approximately five stories about accomplishments that relate back to the key skills and attributes that you highlighted above. Follow the PAR framework (problem, action, result) to explain the scenarios and brainstorm questions types that might prompt you to tell these stories. Check out this example of an accomplishment story.

What was the problem or situation?

I had a great experience working with a team in my last job. We met early on to clarify our objectives and timeline, and what our roles and responsibilities would be. However, during the project, it became apparent that people were being pulled in different directions, and we were getting behind schedule.

What actions did you take?

At that point I talked to my colleagues and got their support for scheduling a short check-in meeting every week to see where we were at. We took turns facilitating the meeting so that each person had responsibility for keeping things on track.

What were the results of your actions?

Having those meetings renewed everyone’s commitment to the project and ensured that we all had an equal stake in its success, and we were able to get it done on time – and under budget.

Question types that would prompt this story

• What is your experience collaborating with others to get work done?
• Describe a time when you encountered challenges working on a team?

Select ten questions to practice and write up your responses to them.

Identify five questions you can ask the interviewer.

Follow as many of these tips as possible to be fully prepared for your interview.

• Research the job description and company
• Research industry language and jargon to integrate into your responses
• Research interviewers online
• Check the news for new developments at the company or in their field
• Practice responses with a friend, colleague, or coach and get their feedback
• Record your practice responses so that you can hear your delivery
• Anticipate concerns about your background/experience