Most HR professionals we’ve spoken to agree: The first thing on your agenda should be learning more about the company you’ll be interviewing with. “There’s a reason that ‘doing the research’ is at the top of every post on preparing for your interview — because it works,” Nabila Salem, president of cloud talent creation 

Next, consider the interview questions you’re likely to be asked and craft your responses. “I’d highly recommend that you write some possible questions you’d expect from the interviewer and, of course, some answers too,” Salem says. “Not only will this make you feel more prepared and confident when the interview 

actually arrives, but it’s a chance to figure out what skills, experiences, and traits you’d like to ‘show off’ once you sit down with your potential employer.” Theresa Balsiger, vice president of candidate relations at Carex Consulting Group, suggests creating a pitch to use in the interview by developing three to five anecdotes to help you 

respond to behavioral questions. (Behavioral questions, such as “tell me about an instance you disagreed with a co-worker,” are designed to pinpoint how you might react in scenarios likely to occur in the workplace.) “Use the position description to help determine what the interviewer might ask you about,” Balsiger says. “Practice your responses.”

One of the essential job interview tips is to show how your experience is relevant to the role you’re applying for.  This connection may be easy to make when you have years of experience in a similar position. If you’re new to the industry or looking for your first job, this may appear a bit more challenging—but not impossible. In this case, 

Paola Accettola, principal and CEO of True North HR, recommends using courses taken in university and projects you worked on as experience. “When you tie in … the skills that you learned in your education, it helps your interviewer and employer understand… how those experiences make you the best fit for the role,” she explains.

In a job interview, you’re expected to answer questions and ask them too. For that reason, it’s best to think in advance about what you will ask your interviewer. “When I am interviewing a person, and they have questions for me about the job, it shows the person has a genuine interest in the open position,” says Mary Alice 

Pizana, human resources manager at Texas law firm Herrman and Herrman PLLC. “There are plenty of questions to ask… [which] will provide insight into what it is like to work there and show you are already investing yourself into the job.” When you ask questions, you also get a chance to see what you can expect from the role 

and whether it matches what you’re looking for. “Remember that while you are being interviewed as an employee, you should also be interviewing the interviewer as a potential employer,” Accettola says.  “With the Great Resignation continuing to happen, many employees often don’t think to challenge the employer during

Our last job interview tip? Don’t be afraid to be yourself. You want to find a company that will allow you to bring your whole self to work. “Businesses look for culture adds, rather than culture fits,” Lamar Nava, director of customer success at Betts Recruiting, says. “Culture fits are old news. Organizations benefit from culture additions

because they introduce new ideas that allow them to innovate and grow.” A company that encourages collaboration, diversity, and authenticity will help you bloom in your career by providing a safe, enjoyable, and, ultimately, more productive environment. This environment, in turn, will set you up for long-term success with the company.

“You never want to shape your personality and who you are to impress the interviewer, as you want to make sure that you can connect well with the company and team on a relatively personal level,” says Accettolla. “If you land the role, you will be spending the majority of your time and days with these individuals, so you want to ensure that you are going to connect well with the team.”