How to Prepare and Ace an Interview in 4 Easy Steps

This is part of a special series sharing insights, tips, and actions you can implement when searching for a job — whether leaving your current one or due to a recent layoff.

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This past week I traveled to Tanzania to see a friend for the first time in 5 years.

The sun was high beaming down… but before we knew it there were stars and darkness overhead.

Where did the time go?

Hours had passed in what felt like a blink of an eye.

It’s easy. Unrehearsed. Natural.

But there’s so much more to it.

It was easy because I was relaxed. It felt unrehearsed because there was no need to perform. It was natural because I was sharing about what I knew — myself.

That’s exactly how a good interview should feel.

Not forced. Not scripted. Just two people having a genuine conversation about the work and the opportunity.

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Step 1: Learn About the Company

Before you walk into any interview, you should know:

• What does the company do? Their products, services, and who they serve
• What’s their mission? What problems are they trying to solve?
• Recent news or achievements? Any funding rounds, product launches, or press coverage?

This isn’t about memorizing facts. It’s about understanding context so you can have an informed conversation.

Pro tip: Check their LinkedIn page, recent blog posts, and press releases. Look at what the CEO or leadership team has been sharing publicly.

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Step 2: Understand the Role

The job description is your cheat sheet.

Read it carefully. Multiple times. Highlight the key responsibilities and required skills.

Then ask yourself:

• Which of my experiences directly relate to these responsibilities?
• What examples can I share that demonstrate these skills?
• Where are the gaps, and how do I address them honestly?

The goal: Be able to speak fluently about how your background connects to what they need.

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Step 3: Prepare Your Stories

Most behavioral interview questions follow a pattern:

“Tell me about a time when…”

You need 3-4 strong stories from your past work experience that you can adapt to different questions.

Use the STAR Method:

• Situation — Set the context
• Task — What was your responsibility?
• Action — What did you specifically do?
• Result — What was the outcome? (Use numbers when possible)

The key: You don’t need a different story for every question. You need versatile stories that can be angled differently.

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Step 4: Prepare Your Questions

An interview is a two-way street.

You’re evaluating them just as much as they’re evaluating you.

Prepare thoughtful questions that show you’ve done your research and are genuinely curious:

About the role:

• What does success look like in the first 90 days?
• What are the biggest challenges the team is facing right now?

About the team:

• How would you describe the team culture?
• How does the team collaborate on projects?

About growth:

• What opportunities exist for learning and development?
• Where have people in this role gone next?

Avoid questions you could easily Google or that are already in the job description.

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💡 Action Steps

A preparation checklist before your next interview:

• 🔍 Research the company (20 mins) — Website, LinkedIn, recent news
• 📋 Review the job description (10 mins) — Highlight key requirements
• 📝 Prepare 3-4 STAR stories (30 mins) — Practice them out loud
• ❓ Write down 5-7 questions (10 mins) — Questions you genuinely want answered
• 👔 Plan your outfit — One level up from their dress code
• 🧪 Test your tech — If remote, check camera, mic, and internet

Total prep time: About 1-2 hours for a thorough preparation.

That small investment can be the difference between a good interview and a great one.

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This article is for educational purposes and not career advice.